3.5. Testing in practice
Fig. 2 illustrates the results from the first testing in three companies in a fresh-cut lettuce production chain. The indicators for the system output gradually increased from primary production to trade, from 3 (moderate output) to 4 (good output). At primary production the levels were 4 (good output) for seriousness of remarks from external FSMS evaluation, microbiological complaints from customers and non-conformity. However, visual complaints and judgment criteria for Similar to the system output indicators, the levels for FSMS activities increased from 3 (average level) to 4 (advanced level) as we moved further downstream within the production chain, and the trading company was found to be operating at the most advanced levels of control and assurance activities. Control and assurance activities received lower levels (mostly levels 2 and 3) at primary production, compared to processing and trade (mostly levels 3 and 4). Many indicators for control activities received a level of 1, because they were not applied. Examples of such indicators include those for storage facilities, packaging, organic fertilization, microbiological sampling and corrective actions. Crucial activities for primary production, such as water control and pesticide program, obtained level 3, while irrigation method received level 2. Control activities at processing and trade were mostly assessed with levels of 3 and 4. A level of 3 (average) was given to the hygienic design of equipment and storage facilities at processing and trade. At processing, many crucial control activities, such as initial material control, supplier control, packaging, water control, and microbial sampling plan, also received level 3. Exceptions were maintenance program, sanitation program, and personal hygiene requirements, which each reached level 4. Assurance activities scored increasingly higher as we moved further downstream in the production chain, with levels of 2–3 at primary production, to 3–4 at processing, and 4 at trade. Validation and verification activities at processing obtained level 3. At trade most activities received level 4 (advanced level), but the hygienic design of equipment, storage facilities and personal hygiene requirements still were evaluated at level 3, while maintenance program at level 2.