Design and implementation of an integrated management system for ochratoxin A in the coffee production chain

Coffee is an important export product of Ecuador. Producers are challenged by the implementation of regulatory limits for ochratoxin A. Ecuador has four coffee production areas and the potential for mycotoxin contamination varies due to different environmental conditions and cultural differences in harvesting, storage, processing and commercialization. The major contributors to contamination are the lack of selection during harvesting, delays in drying or rewetting, the lack of proper drying and storage conditions, the mixing of products with different levels of moisture, and the potential for cross-contamination. The long commercialization chain involves different intermediaries that use foreign materials to increase the weight of the product without consideration of quality. An integrated mycotoxin management system using the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP) principles was developed to prevent mycotoxin contamination at each stage of production. Critical control points were developed based on the resources available at the different stages of the production chain. Training programmes helped increase awareness about the impact of contamination, but failed to transform knowledge into improved practices. Thus, different demonstrative models specific for each productive region at all production levels were developed to show the application of prevention mechanisms using limited resources and to demonstrate the increased commercial value of coffee produced using good practices throughout the chain so producers have a better disposition to adopt improved practices. Preliminary results show that coffee managed using the models had a better quality, a lower contamination, a higher yield and better commercial value. The use of local resources and low-cost technology was important in demonstrating the practical approach.