Food Quality Schemes

Quality Assurance Schemes are defined as

a code of practice, standard or set of requisites that enable stakeholders to guarantee compliance by adhering to what is declared and to signal this to the end or next user underlying this statement there is some independent verification process that adds authority to the stakeholders' statemen

Is participation voluntary for quality assurance schemes

For the most part yes, but some countries have a quasi mandatory status

How do QAS differ amongst the EU

the aims and orientation are the same but their structure are different.

How do QAS differ

Some QAS are confined regionally & affect a very small volume of agricultural produce, others operate on a national or even global level and other differentiations are that some are private and others public, whilst some are

regulated by national law and others by European law

What is the most important thing in QAS

food safety

Why is quality not the most important thing

Because quality is in the eye of the beholder.

What are intrinsic characteristics of search attributes i.e. quality markers before you purchase the product

the look i.e. color, shape, smell, hardness etc

What are extrinsic characteristics of search attributes i.e. quality markers before you purchase the product

Brand, packing, information on origin or production place, purchase place, price, product certificates etc

What are experience attributes i.e. quality markers after consumption

tasteful, savory, tender, sweet and easy to prepare

What are other quality markers other than search or experience attribute

credence attributes e.g. health, nutritional value, environmentally friendly production etc.

Who are the stakeholders in quality and what are their functions

Builders i.e. the marker- supply demand, economic sustainability guarantees.

Beneficiaries i.e. the consumer

Guarantors i.e. institutions- safety assurance, quality standard code, information, protection of competition, development of the sector and protection of other public interest

what are the 2 ethos adopted in QAS

Excellence approach: quality defined only by examining specific characteristics that make a product of better quality or to follow higher standards (superior).

Holistic approach: quality as inclusive of all the desirable characteristics that a product is perceived to have. (standards or subjective qualities)

What are the 2 main types of ethos

Type 1: aims to segment the market by protecting an existing product, with specific characteristics and effectively creating a differentiated product in the market. Typically of these

schemes is that they use labels to signal product and process qualities to consumers. (sometimes

holistic)

Type2: consists of "quality management systems" or "within-chain standards", or "minimum standards schemes". Safety and process quality are important dimensions of these schemes. Standards may remain 'internal' or 'business to business' and may not be communicated to the

consumer. (excellence)

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

Strong link to geographic region where they produced

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)

linked to a geographic area where at least one production step has taken plac

Traditional Specialty Guarantee (TSG)

traditional composition and mode of production of products (proven usage on the domestic market for >25 y)

What are the protection parts of QAS type 1

PDO

PGI

TSG

Organic farming schemes

Other national and regional schemes (~350 estimate)

What is an example of a PDO

Comte cheese- registered designation of origin ('AOC') since 1952. PDO status was granted to Comte cheese by the EU in 1996. Jura and Doubs regions. Substantially higher price for Comte cheese than for Emmental cheese

What is an example of a PGI

Waterford Blaa- PGI status granted in 2013. Traced back to arrival of French Huguenots in the city in the 1690s. Simple white flour, yeast, water and salt dough, and the rolls are traditionally dusted with flour before baking.

How many registered PDO/PGI food product names are there

8

Who is in charge of making sure organic is being used correctly

International federation of organic agriculture movements

In regards to organic produce what does the EC want to do by 2030

Its overall aim is to boost the production and consumption of organic products to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030

How many hectares a year change to be organic over the past decade

500,000

What is an example of a type 1 QAS and what do they focus on

Neuland - quality meat from animal-friendly and environmentally friendly husbandry

What is an example of a type 2 QAS and what do they focus on

EUREPGAP- an initiative set up to outline standards which help producers comply with Europe-wide accepted criteria for food safety, sustainable production methods, worker and animal welfare and responsible use of water, compound feed and plant propagation materials.

What is an example of an Irish QAS

Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes

How many companies signed up to Bord Bia QAS

150 FBOs

What is different about Bord Bia QAS

they have separate schemes for each food category e.g. beef, pig, eggs etc

What is the Bord Bia Quality Mark

it signifies that food has been produced to highest standard and has traceability in Ireland

What decides which Bord Bia Quality Mark is used

how much of the ingredients make up the finished product 90% or less

Can a Bord Bia Quality Mark be on prepared or ready meals

Yes

What is the process involved in Bord Bia Quality Mark

Standards- Traceability, hygiene, animal welfare, environment, safe use of chemicals and medicines and food safety

Audits- farmers, slaughter house, processor/packer

Certification

What do Bord Bia do to help business pass it

They provide an inspection preparation checklist and you can buy a package with signs and health and safety boxes

What is the future for bord bia quality mark

all schemes incorporate sustainability, extend to butchers counters, increase membership and increase demand from consumers

What are some things to consider when making us QAS

consumer awareness, barriers to trade, claims, labelling, certification, level of scrutiny, food integrity, costs of compliance, credibility of associated claims