IMPPP128 – Carry out fresh produce handling and quality

 

Overview

This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to carry out fresh produce handling and quality.

You will need the skills and knowledge to handle fresh produce so that the techniques and methods you apply avoid damaging the product and maintain the quality demanded by customers and consumers.

You should be aware of factors that affect product quality including foreign bodies, chemicals, allergens, assessment of raw materials, government guidelines for salt and sugar and any legislative requirements.

You will need to understand how growing conditions and farming practices can impact on the quality of fresh produce. You will also need the skills and knowledge to work to organisational product specifications and production schedules.

This standard is for you if you work in food and drink manufacture and/or supply operations and are involved in production operations.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

 

1.            use the personal protective equipment according to procedures

2.            check product quality in accordance with the specified methods and procedures

3.            compare the results of quality checks against required standards

4.            record the results of quality checks according to specification

5.            bring product back into specification within the limits of your authority or escalate to appropriate level

6.            communicate the results of quality checks and any actions taken to the relevant people in a timely manner

7.            complete records in accordance with organisational requirements

8.            follow the current legal and regulatory requirements for hygiene and environmental standards or instructions

9.            identify ways of reducing damage and spoilage of fresh produce

10.          identify ways of maintaining quality of fresh produce when handling takes place

11.          measure the external quality of fresh produce

12.          assess the internal quality of fresh produce

13.          use organoleptic techniques to assess fresh produce quality

14.          maintain temperature according to product specifications

15.          identify the types of seasons and countries of origin that can affect handling and quality requirements of fresh produce

16.          identify different types of packaging used to maintain product quality

17.          identify Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) in different types of fresh produce products

                                                           

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

 

1.            what the common forms of fresh produce contamination are caused by farming methods

2.            how growing conditions can affect quality of fresh produce

3.            how quality is influenced by the amount of time fresh produce is in the supply chain

4.            what the common causes of damage are

5.            what the common causes of spoilage are

6.            the measures that are taken to limit spoilage

7.            how fresh produce must be handled if quality is to be maintained

8.            the limitations of produce handling methods

9.            how a good manufacturing practice helps to maintain product quality

10.          what methods are used to measure the external quality of fresh produce

11.          how do these methods measure the external quality of fresh produce

12.          the destructive methods used to assess the internal quality of fresh produce

13.          the non-destructive methods used to assess the internal quality of fresh produce

14.          what organoleptic quality assessment techniques are

15.          how organoleptic quality assessment techniques are carried out

16.          the impact temperature control has on fresh produce quality

17.          why time and temperature control during production is essential to quality

18.          how product handling systems are designed to maintain product quality

19.          what product shelf life is and how it is established for items of produce

20.          the legal and company regulations affecting the production of fresh produce

21.          how seasons and country of origin can affect the handling and quality requirements of fresh produce

22.          how product quality is maintained throughout the supply chain

23.          how different types of packaging are used to maintain the quality of fresh produce

24.          key performance indicators and their role in the maintenance of quality

25.          how use by dates, best before dates and average weights relate to quality

26.          the impact that poor handling can have on profitability

27.          how legislation controls the supply and quality of fresh produce is relevant to use by dates

28.          how legislation affects best before dates in the supply and quality of fresh produce

29.          how legislation affects average weights in the supply and quality of fresh produce

30.          what are Maximum residue levels (MRL)

31.          how MRL relate to the safety of fresh produce

32.          the legal requirements when handling disease insects found in the handling process

 

Keywords: Food; drink; manufacturing; fresh produce; handling; quality