Pepper / Capsicum Packing & Processing traceability:
New Mexico will hold world's largest meeting on chili peppers
New Mexico State University is preparing to host the world's largest conference dedicated to chili peppers.
The 2020 New Mexico Chile Conference will run on February 3 and 4 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The university's Chile Pepper Institute has been organizing the annual conference for about three decades.
Chili has long been one of New Mexico's signature crops. It's the state vegetable and the basis for the official state question: "Red or green?"
The conference draws experts in breeding, processing, pest management and sustainable ways to give growers a competitive advantage. There also will be discussions about the state's chili certification program and how to add value to the harvest.
Startribune.com reported that organizers also are inviting students to present their pepper-related research during the two-day gathering.
Evergreen Europe introduces chili peppers with instructions for use
"Almost one hundred chili pepper varieties will be in production in the summer months, even a variety with a hot name indeed: the Viagra of Chile," explained Marco Pacifico a few days before Fruit Logistica in Berlin, where Evergreen Europe will present a new promising project. India has entered the chili season and the expectations are sky-high, according to MK Exports’ general manager Manoj Barai. “Our chili season has just started and thanks to a terrific rainy season we should have more than enough produce available, while still being able to sell the chili for a good price. It’s all looking much more positive than it did last year, we’re shaping up for a great season. I expect we’ll export between 250 and 300 metric tons within the next six months.”
Chili processing packing chili powder manufacturing quality control inventory
No matter how great the season, cultivating the chili in India is not without its challenges. Balancing the pesticides to fit the European regulations is one of the challenges that comes back year after year, says Barai. “Right now the main challenge is dealing with pests and diseases while at the same time making sure we don’t exceed the maximum allowed use of pesticides as well. It means constantly checking and ensuring we adhere to the MRL check of pesticides, so we stay in line with the European requirements, as well as the requirements of other countries.” "The products will be commercialized in eco-friendly packaging solutions made of recyclable cardboard and Clarifoil® cellulose film. The packaging can be disposed of in the paper basket and weighs between 60 and 100 grams." "The products will be diversified into three categories to help consumers: mild, medium and hot. On one side, the packaging will include ideas and recipes while, on the other , it will report the recommended dosage for those trying fresh chili peppers for the first time." Farmsoft app for chili processing & manufacturing of chili powder, crushed chili, chili oil, chili sauce, chili paste, pickled chili, dried chili, chili food service products and other chili value added products.
What is pepper traceability?
The FDA defines food traceability as the ability to follow the movement of a food product and its ingredients through all steps in the supply chain, both backward and forward in its production cycle.
Needless to say, traceability has always been vital within the food industry due to its role in food safety, but it has become increasingly important to the final consumer as well. In fact, the COVID19 pandemic has only made traceability more important, as people are more aware than ever of where their food comes from and how it is produced and processed. A transparent process ensures that you know what is in your food and how it was made.
How we ensure pepper traceability
Take our chillies as an example. Before a product hits your client's hands, pepper seeds have to be planted, the seedlings nursed, the plants harvested, the peppers brought into our factory, processed, packed, and shipped.
We are obsessed with the quality of our product. From seed to crop and beyond; we are devoted to delivering a top-tier product, and to making sure every single pepper that leaves our processing plant is traceable. From being true-to-type peppers to hygienic processing and ensuring no allergens or dangerous chemicals are present in our product, we control every stage of our peppers´ cycle so you can feel safe using all of our products.
Take a look at these seedlings. Like all other plants, this is the start of the journey. They were planted by our Agricultural Team at our 130 acre-farm in Central Ecuador from selected seeds, ensuring and preserving the true phenotypes you are looking for.
After about 6 weeks in the nursery, we move the seedlings to the plot of one of the 400 smallholder farming families we work with in Ecuador and Peru. For example, Alicia and Irene (seen below) co-own a field of Habanero peppers in Ecuador. They, and all the other farmers, receive Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training. These include disease and pest control, fertilization planning, and phytosanitary importance.
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Approximately 2-3 months after being sown, the hot pepper plants will bear fruit of their own, which the farmers harvest and deliver to our processing facility.
The question then becomes: how would you like to have your hot peppers today? Mashed? Pureed? Brined? Or perhaps dried, flaked, or even smoked? These steps are done following strict processing guidelines and Quality Control, from the washing of the peppers to the sealing of the box.
We are devoted to the idea that constant improvement and rigorous supply chain management will deliver the best possible product. Our team carefully controls all procedures to meet the highest industry standards. We take it seriously and are FSSC-22000 Certified to show it.
Pepper traceability app
On the morning of May 22, 2020, the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA) cooperated with the Vietnam Handicraft Export Association (Vietcraft), the Asia Foundation and the Vietnam Cocoa Coffee Association (Vicofa) to organize the association. Workshop: “Support to traceability of goods and develop exports” in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak with funding from the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The seminar is considered a premise to select businesses that are eligible to participate in the project. The seminar welcomed more than 80 participants from representatives of pepper and coffee enterprises and cooperatives and representatives of departments of the Agriculture and Rural Development Departments of Dak Lak and Gia Lai.
Although not a new concept in Vietnam, the topic of traceability has never cooled down because this is considered an indispensable trend when a series of issues about counterfeit, counterfeit, and poor quality goods. became more popular and paid special attention by consumers. For businesses, product traceability is not only a solution to improve the reputation of the business but also to increase the competitiveness of products.
According to Le Ba Ngoc, Vice President of Vietcraft, the activities of the project to support traceability and export development are promising projects because in addition to supporting training costs, software and related documents. In addition, enterprises can also access the costs of participating in fairs and connecting markets. With this benefit has helped businesses reduce anxiety about costs, find output for traceable products before participating in project implementation.
The main activities of the project:
Khởi Kick-off workshop introducing the project in 3 regions (North, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta). Assess needs and select businesses to participate in the project.
Review links and concerns / needs of businesses in 5 commodity groups as a basis for building traceability applications and e-commerce platform.
Hợp Coordinating with state management agencies to study the plan of automatic certification related to the production and business activities of the enterprise.
Building a traceable application of blockchain technology application for users.
Building applications / e-commerce platforms using augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Support enterprises in updating and operating the traceability system and e-commerce platform.
Support businesses in trade promotion activities in domestic and international markets (linking with distributors, importers, participating in domestic and foreign fairs, visiting learning models …) ).
At the seminar, representatives of VPA and Vicofa presented briefly supply chain issues, traceability, quality certifications and common difficulties of each commodity in traceability and promotion.