General Technical Guidelines for Micro and Small Scale Agro Food Processors

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CONTENTS

3 Introduction

4 What is Agro-Food Processing

Major Processed Food Products that are Produced by

Micro and Small Scale Agro-Food Processors in Jamaica

5 Basic Considerations for Setting Up an AgroFood Processing Business

6 The Major Food Processing Related Programmes that Micro and Small Scale Agro-Food

Processors must have in Place

Appendices

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What is HACCP

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Local Suppliers of Micro and Small Scale

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7 A Good Manufacturing Practices Programme

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17 A Food Safety Programme

18 A Quality Control Programme

Food Processing Equipment and Tools

21 A Documentation and Record

Local Suppliers of Micro and Small Scale

Keeping Programme

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Quality Control Equipment/

Bureau of Standards Jamaica

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Instruments/Tools

23 The Main Requirements of The

Local Suppliers of Food Additives

Department of The Ministry of Health

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24 The Main Requirements of The Health

Local Providers of Incubation Services to

25 Organization of Responsibilities in an Agro-Food Processing Business

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and Special Food Ingredients

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Micro and Small Scale

Agro-Food Processors

26 Basic Steps in Developing a Processed Food

27 Labelling Requirements for Processed Food Products

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28 Introduction to Production Planning

29 Finally- How do I Set Up A Micro or Small Scale Agro-Food Processing Business

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to the Agro-Food Processing Industry

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Product

Local Providers of Analytical Services

Local Food Packaging Materials Suppliers

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and Packaging Services Providers to Micro and Small Scale Agro-Food Processors

References

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INTRODUCTION

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The agro-food processing industry in Jamaica is composed of a number of micro and small scale agro-food processors. These micro and small scale agro-food processors produce a wide of variety of processed food products such as fruit juices, baked products and sauces. In order to produce high quality products and meet the requirements of local and international processed food regulatory authorities, these agro-food processors need to adhere to certain guidelines. If these guidelines are not followed, the business may encounter numerous problems, which could eventually results in it’s closure.

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This resource manual examines the major systems that micro and small scale agro-food processors need to have in place, to enable them to meet relevant standards. These include A Good Manufacturing Practices Programme and A Quality Control Programme. The main requirements of the local food processing regulatory authorities are also included, along with other considerations for the production of processed food products. Some of these considerations are developing a processed food product and labelling requirements for processed food products.

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It is hoped that this manual will be used by micro and small scale agro-food processors, to implement systems that will improve their operating standards.

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What is Agro-Food Processing? gro-Food Processing is the conversion of agricultural produce to value added products, by using various food processing techniques. For example, tomato is an agricultural produce and various techniques can be used to convert it to value added products such as juices, jams and sauces.

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Tomato can be processed and converted to Tomato Jam

Major Processed Food Products that are Produced by Micro Small Scale Agro-Food Processors in Jamaica

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Processed Meat Such as Smoked Ham Pickled Meat such as Pickled Pork Pickles such as Vegetable Pickles Dried Products such as Dried Spices and Dried Fruits Fermented Products such as Fruit Wines Sauces such as Barbecue Sauce and Jerk Sauce Baked Products such as Cakes and Bread Snack Foods such as Banana Chips Fruit and Vegetable Juices Preserves such as Jams and Jellies Confectionaries/Sweets such as Mint Balls and Busta

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Micro and small scale agro-food processors in Jamaica, produce a wide range of processed food products. Some of these are listed below.

Solar Dried Fruits are commonly produced by micro and small scale agro-food processors

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Canned food products are common in Jamaica, but they are not normally done by micro and small scale agro-food processors. This is because the start-up cost for a canning operation is very high. Micro and small scale agro-food processors, can however use a contract processor or an incubation facility to produce these products.

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Basic Considerations for Setting Up an Agro-Food Processing Business

As an entrepreneur, there are many points that you have to consider, before you decide to set up an agro-food processing business. Some of these are listed below.

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The type of product/s that you wish to produce and the scale of operation or the size of the business that you wish to start Whether there are markets for the product/s Whether or not a standard/standards exist for the product/s Whether the input raw materials for the product/s are readily available Whether the packaging materials for the product/s are readily available

Entrepreneurs have to decide the type of products that they will produce before setting up an Agro-Food Processing Business.

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Where the business will be located How the business will be financed The requirements of the Main Local Processed Food Regulatory Agencies/Authorities (these are The Bureau of Standards Jamaica and The Health Department of The Ministry of Health) and other Regulatory and Statutory Agencies/Authorities that you will have to deal with The equipment required for the production of the product/s and the building/premises requirements for the operation Whether you will develop the product/s or use the services of an Industry Specialist or a Recognized Food Product Development Establishment to do so Whether you will set up the processing operation to produce the product/s or use the services of a Contract Processor/Incubation Facility to produce the product/s The price range of the product/s How the business will be organized and staffed How the product/s will be promoted and marketed

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