NUBiP of Ukraine and the Pennsylvania State University: Successful start of the course on primary produce safety
A high level of food security, which contributes to the development of the national economy, trade, tourism and food security, is an indisputable factor in sustainable development.
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is a system for agriculture that defines the procedures (and related documentation) that must be implemented to create food for consumers or further safe and processing using recognized methods. Implementing GAP helps promote sustainable agriculture and contributes to meeting national and international environmental and social developmental objectives.
Cooperation between the Pennsylvania State University and NUBiP of Ukraine in the field of food security has started in 2018 and successfully continues through a series of webinars in 2021. The course, which started on July 19, 2021, aims to provide fundamental science-based knowledge on food safety in primary production, in particular for farmers producing fresh fruit and vegetables, packers, control staff and other stakeholders in the safety of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is based on the assessment of product safety risks, implementation of the requirements of good agricultural practice and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements related to the FSMA Product Safety Rules, as well as meeting customer requirements for food safety and quality.
The curriculum of the course was developed by the Product Safety Alliance and presented in English by Richard Kralj (Pennstate University), who is the lead lecturer of this course, supported by NUBiP teachers. More than 20 participants took the opportunity to gain new knowledge in the field of food safety and improve their English skills. The classes are live, and consist of presentations of the requirements of good agricultural practice, answers to participants' questions and work in small groups (breakout sessions) to discuss situational tasks.
Nataliya Silonova, Nataliya Voloshchuk,
Olexander Labenko
