Background information:

In 1995/1996, Guatemala was the major supplier of raspberries to the United States, with sustained growth in production for this market. In 1996, contamination with Cyclospora, affecting 1 465 people in the USA and Canada was reported (Herwaldt and Ackers, 1997). Californian blackberries were initially blamed, resulting in US$20 million to US$40 million sales losses. Subsequently, Guatemalan raspberries were identified as responsible by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. After a new outbreak in 1997, exports from Guatemala to the USA market were preventively stopped and the USA government published in 1998 an alert on these raspberries. Canada, another significant market, followed a ban on imports after an outbreak on 305 people in Toronto in 1990.

Response of Guatemala:

Guatemala's Exporters Association, with government support, began evaluating, together with the US Food and Drug Administration, possible answers. All producing farms were surveyed for possible contamination risks and an "Excellence Model Plan" was enforced to assure safety from the producing area to the importing country port of entrance. This plan was backed up by the importing countries' food surveillance agencies, the government, supermarkets, exporters, producers, etc. The plan provides for training inspecting personnel, strengthening inspection and farm qualification systems, analytical procedures (clinical and microbiological laboratories), traceability plans and good agricultural and manufacturing practices.

Consequences:

For the importing country:

In 1999, the USA again allowed imports of raspberries from Guatemala as a result of the approval of the safety assurance program implemented. Estimated losses of some US$10 million for producers and exporters resulted from closed markets. Current demand is only one-third of that before the outbreaks (Calvin et al., 2000) with the Canadian market still closed. Calvin et al., 2000 also report a significant reduction in the number of producers, following the crisis.

For competing countries:

Mexico, in particular, benefited from the situation, becoming the leading exporter, while the safety assurance plan was enforced and exports were closed for Guatemala.

For demand:

With the outbreak, demand for all berries, and raspberries in particular, diminished. Once Guatemalan berries were identified as causing the outbreak, demand for other Guatemalan produce also decreased. Raspberries, no matter its origin showed a slowdown. Even if the situation has now been overcome, consumer's confidence in Guatemalan blackberries and other produce is yet to be restored and even if evolving slowly, some buyers are adamant. (Calvin et al., 2000).

Source:

Buzby, J.C. 2001. Effects of food-safety perceptions on food demand and global trade. Chapter 7. Changing Structure of Global Food Consumption and Trade. Economic Research Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Trade Report. WRS-01-1.

Mooney, D. 2000. El Aseguramiento de la Calidad e Inocuidad, una condición para permanecer en los mercados hortofrutícolas frescos: el Caso de Guatemala. Memorias III Simposio Internacional de Competitividad en Frutas y Hortalizas. SENA. Bogotá, Colombia.

The concept:

Food safety may be defined as the assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended use. (FAO/WHO, 1997). This guarantee means reducing risks that may result from the production and handling of produce.

Public concern about food safety has increased dramatically in the last years as a result of food-borne diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO, 1999) estimates in the hundreds of millions the number of people suffering from diseases resulting from contaminated food or water. Even if reporting this data is difficult, statistics show that both in developed and developing countries, food-borne diseases are rising (resulting from more trustable reporting of data and occurrence). In developed countries, more than 30 percent of the population suffers every year from food-borne diseases, with 70 percent of worldwide diarrhoea resulting from biological contamination of foods. Contaminated food is also responsible for cholera, which together with various types of diarrhoea, contributes significantly to malnutrition problems. Incidence of food borne diseases can be 300 to 350 times higher than that actually reported worldwide. Not all diseases resulting from contaminated food become evident as intestinal difficulties, Clostridrium botulinum causes severe cerebral paralysis, usually terminal. Effects of Listeria monocytogenes range from influenza to meningitis and meningo-encephalytis. This micro-organism is particularly relevant to pregnant women, with infections leading to abortion, intrauterine death or premature births; while infections for individuals with immunodeficiency may result in severe diseases and even death.

Risks associated to chemical contaminated foods, such as pesticide residues, although less dramatic and immediate in their outcome, are a permanent concern for customers. With enhanced awareness of the presence of pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables resulting in occasional intoxications, their long-term effect is important. Agrochemical intoxication of workers and infants is a risk associated with their use, with scientific evidence pointing to other direct and indirect risks. Pesticides residues, throughout the food chain, resulted in reduced pelican and eagle populations. Toxicological research shows pesticides to be responsible for cancer and birth defects and for damaging the interphase between the nervous, endocrine, reproductive and immunological system in mammals.

Diseases caused by fresh fruits and vegetables:

Even if the figures for diseases resulting from fresh produce are low (in 1996 only 6 out of some 200 UK reports on diseases were associated to consumption of fruits and vegetables), increased consumption results in rising incidence. For example, for the USA (Guzewich and Salisbury, 2000) report 2 percent (from 1973 to 1979) and 6 percent (from 1990 to1997) of outbreaks associated to fresh agricultural produce. Some outbreaks concern imported produce. Nevertheless, food-borne diseases from imports are not larger than those resulting from local crops in the importing countries.

In developing countries, diseases resulting from contaminated fruits and vegetables can be higher in some areas and result in a higher percentage of affected population. However, many outbreaks are not officially reported and only 2 percent are related to fruits and vegetables in Latin America.

Implications:

• Consumer's health: outbreaks have a direct effect on consumer's health, with vomits, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, non-intestinal diseases (pathological, premature births and intrauterine deaths, among others) and indirect consequences (lack of confidence resulting in a constantly increasing demand for quality).



• Economical: Economic consequences affect not only individuals but their families, the community, industries and countries. Direct costs result from assistance to the diseased person, while indirect costs impact on absenteeism (both work and school), displacements to receive medical attention, finances, etc. Exporting countries suffer significant losses from contaminated fruits and vegetables. In April 1999, 85 rejects resulting from inspections by the FDA meant important losses for countries in Central America.



• Society: reduced productivity, costs associated to research into the causes of outbreaks, control of outbreaks, wasting of time and legal procedures, costs of public services for chronic sufferers and environmental costs.