Scientists from the PEI Food Technology Centre have begun a contract in St. Kitts & Nevis to bring that country up to export standards for the inspection of seafood. During the course of the contract, management and laboratory technicians will be trained in the operation and management of the microbiology laboratory of the Bureau of Standards to facilitate the determination of the compliance of standards in the seafood and agri-food processing industry.
The contract with St. Kitts & Nevis is the second of it's type for FTC this year. Scientists have just completed a contract in Jamaica. Fish processors in that country have not been able to export their processed food products as they did not have the expertise and infrastructure to comply with food safety requirements of importing countries. FTC's microbiologist worked with the Jamaican government to train local processors and inspectors on HACCP. This will enable the country to export their seafood products to the United States and Europe where HACCP is mandatory. HACCP is a widely accepted standard for determining product safety. The system identifies critical points in a processing line where bacteria is most likely to cause problems.
Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie says FTC's off-shore contracts are an important part of the province's total export picture.
"We can and should continue to export our products; but we must also expand our export of the knowledge we have gained in our many years of experience in food production.
The Food Technology Centre has provided a valuable contribution to this province's reputation in the global marketplace."
The opportunities in the Caribbean came about as a result of references made to the respective authorities about the FTC's training expertise by IICA, the International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture. This contact was made by Mr. Ebo Budu-Amoako, FTC's Senior Microbiologist.