THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD - ACFS · 2011. 6. 3. · THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD TAS 5502-2009 GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR ORCHID PACKING HOUSE National Bureau of Agricultural

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 5502-2009

GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR

ORCHID PACKING HOUSE

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

ICS 65.040.20 ISBN 978-974-403-680-3

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION


TAS 5502-2009

GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR

ORCHID PACKING HOUSE


Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

50 Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao, Chutuchak, Bangkok 10900

Telephone (662) 561 2277 Facsimile (662) 561 3357

www.acfs.go.th

Published in the Royal Gazette Vol. 126 Special Section 186 D,

Dated 28 December B.E. 2552 (2009)

(2)

Technical Committee on the Elaboration of Thai Agricultural Standard for Orchid

1. Mr. Olan Pitak Chairperson

Deputy Director General, Department of Agricultural Extension

2. Mrs. Chongwatthana Phumhirun Committee

Department of Agriculture

3. Mr. Settaphong Lekhawatthana Committee

Department of Agricultural Extension

4. Mr. Chuwit Mitchop Committee

Office of The National Economic and Social Development Board

5. Mr. Kanit Likitwitthayawuth Committee

Office of Agricultural Economics

6. Mrs. Orathai Silapanapaporn Committee


7. Associate Professor Surawish Wannakrairot Committee

Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University

8. Mr. Nibhondh Chaiwongrungrueng Committee

Orchid grower Association of Thailand

9. Mr. Payong Kongudomsup Committee

Thai Orchid Garden Enterprise Association

10. Mr. Jede Meyanyieam Committee

Thai Orchid Exporter Association

11. Mr. Suwan Hirunworawutkul Committee

The Royal Horticultural Society of Thailand under Royal Patronage

12. Mr. Jitti Rattanapianchai Committee

13. Mrs. Jittrapun Tiampayothorn Committee

14. Mr. Niyomrat Traisri Committee

15. Miss Tassanee Pratchayabumrung Committee

Office of Commodity and System Standards and Secretary


(3)

Thai orchids, well-known and popular commodity in the global market, have the highest export

volume among Thailand’s cut flowers. In 2008, The value of exported orchid cut flowers, orchid

plants and orchid products from Thailand was 2,500 millions Baht. The policy of Ministry of

Agriculture and Cooperatives is to increase the export value of orchid cut flowers. However,

processors in orchid flower export business are having problems related to quality management in

the packing house. Therefore, the Agricultural Standards Commodity deems necessary to establish

the Thai Agricultural Standard on Good Manufacturing Practices for Orchid Packing House so as to

be guidelines in quality management in the packing house to prevent loss and achieve good quality

on regular basis.

The establishment of the Agricultural Commodity Standard is based on the information of the

following document:

Jittrapun Piluek, Alisla Meenakanit, Suphol Piluek, Study for System Development and Design of

Orchid Packing House for Export, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT).

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards. Guide Book for Export of

Fruits to U.S.A., Bangkok: The Agricultural Co-operative Federation of Thailand Printing Press,

Ltd., 2007.

NOTIFICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES

SUBJECT: THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD:

GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR ORCHID PACKING HOUSE

B.E. 2552 (2009)

Whereas the Agricultural Standards Committee deems necessary to establish an

agricultural standard on Good Manufacturing Practices for Orchid Packing House in accordance

with the Agricultural Standard Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity

standard to meet its quality standard and safety.

By virtue of Section 5, Section 15 and Section 16 of the Agricultural Standards

Act B.E. 2551(2008), the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives hereby issues this

Notification on Establishment of Agricultural Standard: Good Manufacturing Practice For Orchid

Packing House (TAS 5502-2552) is established as voluntary standard, details of which are

attached herewith.

Notified on 1 October B.E. 2552 (2009)

(Mr. Theera Wongsamut)

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives

TAS 5502-2009


GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR ORCHID PACKING HOUSE

1 SCOPE

1.1 This Thai Agricultural Standard applies to good manufacturing practices for orchid packing

house beginning from receiving orchid cut flowers until transporting so as to ensure the orchid

flower quality and plant health.

2 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this standard:

2.1 Orchid flower means flowers of the plant in the family Orchidaceae for commercial purpose

in many forms such as:

(A) Fresh orchid cut flower with a complete stem and flowers (B) Orchid flower being picked from fresh orchid cut flower as an individual flower

(C) Other products being derived from the arrangement of orchid flowers or taking any part of

orchid flowers for making up diversified products such as lei/garland, bouquet

2.2 Visual Inspection means an inspection of any external physical appearances of an item, for

example produce, product, or apparent environment conditions. This is basically examined by eyes.

Any other sensory evaluation may be applied depending on quality factors in question, and

additional tools may be applied such as magnifying lens as necessary. Subsequently, physical

appearances and environmental conditions shall be assessed so as to see if the criteria are fully met.

The processes and working procedures are also necessary to be inspected visually.

2.3 Pesticide means hazardous substance used in agriculture overseen by the Department of

Agriculture according to the Notifications of the Ministry of Industry entitled the List of Hazardous

Substances issued by virtue of the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 (2002) and its

amendments.

2.4 Packing house means the establishment for post-harvest management including sorting and

grading, packaging and maintaining in storage prior to transportation.

TAS 5502-2009 2

2.5 Orchid box means an inner box and/or a master box used for containing orchid flowers

which are already packed in bag or wrapped. There shall be a space available for labeling indicated

clearly the detail of orchid flowers.

2.6 Pest means living organisms such as plant pathogens, insects, animals and weed injurious

and damaging to plant.

3 REQUIREMENTS AND INSPECTION METHODS

Requirements and inspection methods for good manufacturing practices for orchid packing house

are defined in Table 1.

Table 1 Requirements and Inspection Methods

(Item 3)

ITEMS REQUIREMENTS INSPECTION

METHODS

1.1.1 Separate the operation areas suitable

for work and administration.

1.1.1 Visual inspection

1.1.2 Good ventilation. 1.1.2 Visual inspection

1.1.3 Capable of preventing from rain, sunlight. 1.1.3 Visual inspection

1. Establishment

1.1 Design

1.1.4 Availability of drainage and waste

disposal system.


1.2.1 Structure shall be strong, safe and

capable of supporting equipment,

machinery, rooms for temperature control,

fumigation, and other necessary equipment.


1.2.2 Arrange continuous line of operation

for orchid flowers. 1.2.2 Visual inspection

1.2 Building

1.2.3 Construction materials shall be easy

to maintain and clean. The building shall

be clean and well ventilated.


TAS 5502-2009 3


METHODS

2.1.1 Work plan shall be in place for each

step of work according to types of orchid

flowers.

2.1.1 Review work plan

2. Control of operation

2.1 Work plan

2.1.2 The assigned person shall be capable

of controlling operation.

2.1.2 Interview assigned

persons

2.2.1 Sorting and grading is referred to the

TAS 5001 entitled the Thai Agricultural

Standard: Orchid Cut Flower and/or

trading partner requirements.

2.2.1 Inspect operation

2.2.2 Culling off defected orchid cut

flowers with pest or sign of pest.


2.2.3 Appropriate equipment used in

operation shall be clean and sharp.


2.2.4 There should be measures for

dehumidifying orchid flowers.


2.2 Sorting and grading

2.2.5 Where there is a need to hold orchid

flowers, an appropriate maintenance shall

be made available.


2.3.1 Materials used for orchid box shall

be suitable, new and clean.


2.3.2 Orchid flowers shall be carefully

packed for preventing damages.

2.3.2 Inspect operation.

2.3.3 Packed orchid flowers shall be

maintained at the temperature not to exceed

25oC to lower the orchid flower

temperature.


2.3 Packaging

2.3.4 Individual package shall be carefully

laid down into the orchid box. The quantity

of package shall not exceed the number

that affect the quality during transportation.


TAS 5502-2009 4


METHODS

2.3.5 Detail information shall be precisely

displayed on the label or the orchid box.

2.3.5 Check data record

on label or containing

box.

2.4 Methyl bromide fumigation

to eradicate pest according to

requirements of importing

countries (if any).

2.4 In case of requirements of importing

countries for methyl bromide fumigation to

eradicate pest, the operation of fumigation

shall be certified and registered by the

Department of Agriculture.

2.4 Check certification

document.

2.5 Storage of orchid flowers 2.5 Ready packed orchid flowers shall be

maintained at the temperature not to exceed

25oC prior to uploading for transportation

according to schedules.

2.5 Visual inspection

3. Maintenance and sanitation

3.1 Measures of maintenance

and cleaning

3.1 Measures of maintenance and cleaning

shall be provided in all steps of the

operation to ensure the prevention of the

carrier animal.


3.2 Tools and equipment 3.2 Appropriate tools and equipment shall

be adequately provided, and ready for use.

After each application, they shall be

cleaned and maintained in good working

condition.


3.3 Control of pesticides 3.3 There shall be proper storage of

pesticide, including clear sign and proper

measure for disposal of surplus pesticide

and beware of contamination to public

water resources.


4.1 Workers who expose to pesticides shall

be provided with adequate personal

protective equipment.


4. Personal health and training

of workers.

4.2 Personal hygiene facilities shall be

provided for workers sufficiently.


TAS 5502-2009 5


METHODS

4.3 Appropriate and sufficient health care

shall be provided for workers


4.4 Provide knowledge or training on

operating procedures, basic skill of pest

detection, pesticide management,

disinfectants or other substances on regular

basis.

4.4.1 Visual inspection 4.4.2 Check data records or

assess workers’ knowledge

and understanding.

5.1 Complete record keeping on:

5.1.1 Sources of orchid varieties 5.1.1 Review record

5.1.2 Classes and quantity of orchid

flowers produced / batch / date.

5.1.2 Review record

5.1.3 Application of pesticide and / or

methyl bromide fumigation (if any).

5.1.3 Review record

5.1.4 Temperature and duration of storage

of orchid flowers produced / batch / date.

5.1.4 Review record

5.1.5 Country of destination. 5.1.5 Review record

5. Record keeping

5.2 Maintaining the record for at least one

year.

5.2 Review record

4 RECOMMENDATIONS ON GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR ORCHID

PACKING HOUSE

The recommendations on good manufacturing practices for orchid packing house are to advise

entrepreneurs for practical application in the process for selection and packing of orchid flowers to

achieve good manufacturing practices effectively. Details of the recommendations are explained in

the Annex A.

TAS 5502-2009 6

ANNEX A

RECOMMENDATIONS ON GOOD MANUFACTURING

PRACTICES FOR ORCHID PACKING HOUSE

(Item 4)

An orchid packing house should be located in the vicinity of orchid farms, convenient for transport

of orchid flowers, accessible to public infrastructures e.g. electricity, water supply, communication,

wastewater treatment, and waste disposal. Furthermore, avoidance of areas with frequent natural

disaster e.g. floods, land subsidence, areas being affected with pollution from industrial factories

should be taken into account.

Good manufacturing practices for orchid packing house are involved with important factors as

follows:

A.1 Establishment

Factors which shall be considered in an establishment to prevent damages or contamination on

orchid flowers, equipment, tools, and workers from sunlight, wind, rain, accumulation of diseases

and pest risk are as follows: A.1.1 Design

A.1.1.1 Separate the operation areas suitable for work and administration i.e. receiving area,

sorting and grading area, packing area, administration area e.g. the manager’s office, staff of each

division should be separated for convenient communication, documentation and other works.

A.1.1.2 Operation area shall be spacious, not humid, well ventilated.

A.1.1.3 Operation area shall be equipped with construction materials to prevent rain and sunlight.

A.1.1.4 Availability of drainage and waste disposal system to prevent disease accumulation

A.1.2 Building

TAS 5502-2009 7

A.1.2.1 Structure shall be strong, safe and capable of supporting equipment, machinery, rooms for

temperature control, fumigation, and other necessary equipment.

A.1.2.2 Arrange continuous line of operation for orchid flowers to provide the shortest transferred

route of orchid flowers. There should not be any crossing line causing obstruction and discontinuity.

A.1.2.3 Floors should be smoothly made of concrete for convenience of cleaning, well drained, no

containment of excess water or other waste. Wall and ceiling should be made of durable material,

smooth, easy to maintain and clean. The internal structure is clean and well ventilated.

A.2 Control of operation

A2.1 Work plan.

A.2.1.1 Work plan shall be in place for each step of work according to types of orchid flowers as

follows:

(A) The graded fresh orchid cut flower should be cut off stem end at 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm (Figure

B.1) and inserted into a tube contained with clean water or preservative solution to extend shelf

life.

(B) Orchid flower/floret picked from orchid inflorescent as individual flower shall be carefully

handled to prevent any damage.

(C) Other products being derived from the arrangement of orchid flowers or taking any part of

orchid flowers for making up diversified products such as lei/garland, bouquet shall be handled

with skill and care to prevent any damage.

The control of operation is dependent upon business size, types of activities, and related types of

packaging.

A.2.1.2 Manager or assigned person shall acquire knowledge of operation pertaining to the orchid

standards. This person shall be able to determine the risk from any factors that can affect the quality

and phytosanitary status of orchid flowers and to appropriately take prevention and corrective

action.

A.2.2 Sorting and grading

A.2.2.1 Sorting and grading is referred to the TAS 5001 entitled the Thai Agricultural Standard:

Orchid Cut Flower and/or trading partner requirements. (Figure B.2)

TAS 5502-2009 8

A.2.2.2 Inspect the quality of each fresh orchid cut flower. Culling off defected orchid cut flowers

with pest or sign of pest (Figure B.3)

A.2.2.3 Appropriate tools and equipment used in operation such as ruler or measuring tool, knives,

scissors shall be clean and sharp to prevent any damage.

A.2.2.4 There should be measures for dehumidifying orchid flowers by taking each orchid cut

flower which have been already selected and inserted into the tubes lined up on the grille table or

hung on a rail upside down for dehumidifying. Dehumidifying should take approximately 1 hour to

3 hours depending on the humidity of orchid cut flowers, particularly in certain season e.g. the

rainy season, electric fan or dehumidifier may be used. (Figure B.4)

A.2.2.5 Where there is a need to hold orchid flowers, an appropriate maintenance shall be made

available to maintain quality such as holding arrived orchid cut flower at the packing house by

putting in a container with clean water or preservative solution or storing orchid cut flowers in room

with temperature not to exceed 25oC to reduce orchid cut flower temperature.

A.2.3 Packaging

A.2.3.1 Material used for orchid box shall be new, clean, strong, durable during transportation. It

could prevent and preserve the quality of orchid flowers in a good condition up until the destination.

Orchid box should have air-ventilated openings and properly designed with each type of orchid

flowers.

A.2.3.2 Orchid flowers shall be carefully packed and not in the exceeded number that can affect

the quality during transportation. (Figure B.6)

A.2.3.3 Packages of orchid flowers shall be maintained in room with temperature not to exceed

25oC to reduce the orchid flower temperature.

A.2.3.4 Individual package shall be carefully laid down into the orchid box. The quantity of

package shall not exceed the number that affect the quality during transportation.

A.2.3.5 Detail information shall be precisely displayed on the label or the orchid box i.e. scientific

name and/or common name, class, size code and/or sizes as mutually agreed upon between

trading partners, number of orchid cut flowers, trademark (if any), exporter and/or trader code or

name, production site (name of country) and address of exporter/trader.

TAS 5502-2009 9

A.2.4 Methyl bromide fumigation to eradicate pest according to requirements of importing

countries (if any)

In case of requirements of importing countries for methyl bromide fumigation to eradicate pest, the

operation of fumigation shall be certified and registered by the Department of Agriculture.

A.2.5 Storage of orchid flowers (Figure B.8)

Packages of orchid flowers ready for transportation shall be maintained in room with temperature

not exceeding 25oC until the time to upload onto transport vehicle.

A.3 Maintenance and Hygiene

A.3.1 Possession of measures in maintenance and cleaning before and after the operation.

A.3.1.1 Sufficient containers for trash and trash disposal management, surrounding of working

areas shall have well drainage, there should be no material trash stuck in the water drainage system.

A.3.1.2 Provide the washing and drying hand sufficiently and appropriately.

A.3.1.3 Toilets located in working areas shall be built up hygienically with regular cleaning.

A.3.1.4 Not to bring in food into the packing process areas for avoidance of induction of hiding

vector.

A.3.2 Adequate and appropriate tools and equipment shall be provided, and ready for use. After

every utilizing, they shall be cleaned and specified responsible person, including method and

frequency of cleaning. Equipment already cleaned should be stored separately in appropriate places,

including maintenance and repair to be in condition supportive to application at all the times.

A.3.3 Pest Control

There shall be proper storage of pesticide, including clear sign and proper measure for disposal of

surplus pesticide and beware of contamination to public water resources.

TAS 5502-2009 10

A.4 Personal Health and training of workers.

A.4.1 Workers who expose to pesticides shall be provided with adequate personal protective

equipment.

A.4.2 Personal hygiene facilities shall be provided for workers sufficiently to ensure maintaining

personal hygiene at an appropriate level e.g. clothes, apron, hair cover, particular shoes, hand

washing equipment before and after the operation, separation of meal areas and operation areas.

A.4.3 Appropriate and sufficient health care shall be provided for workers such as first-aid gears,

care and treatment upon illness.

A.4.4 Provide knowledge to workers on regular basis e.g.

(A) Training new workers to be able to carry out the work properly according to work steps

(B) Training on skill of primary pest detection

(C) Training on operating procedures, basic skill of pest detection, pesticide management,

disinfectants or other substances.

A.5 Record keeping

A.5.1 Complete record keeping on:

A.5.1.1 Sources of orchid varieties

A.5.1.2 Classes and quantity of orchid flowers produced/batch/date

A.5.1.3 Application of pesticide and/or methyl bromide fumigation (if any)

A.5.1.4 Temperature and duration of storage of orchid flowers produced/batch/date

A.5.1.5 Country of destination

A.5.1.6 Other supporting data records which may be useful in case of having any problems.

A.5.2 Maintenance the record continuously for at least 1 year e.g. important documents relating to

the operation and records of training proceeding for traceability.

TAS 5502-2009 11

ANNEX B

SAMPLE PHOTO OF PRACTICES

WITHIN ORCHID PACKING HOUSE

Figure B.1 Cutting of Orchid Cut Flower Stem (Item A.2.1.1 (A))

Figure B.2 Separation of Quality Classes and Sizes of Orchid Cut Flowers (Item A.2.2.1)

TAS 5502-2009 12

Figure B.3 Primary Inspection of Pest (Item A.2.2.2)

Figure B.4 Drying Flowers to Dry up Water on Orchid Cut Flowers (Item A.2.2.4)

TAS 5502-2009 13

Figure B.5 Resting Orchid Cut Flowers prior to Packing (Item A.2.2.5)

Figure B.6 Packing Orchid Cut Flowers into the Bag or Package (Item A.2.3.2)

TAS 5502-2009 14

Figure B.7 Arranging Orchid Cut Flowers in Containing Box (Item A.2.3.4)

Figure B.8 Packed Orchid Cut Flowers must be stored in a temperature Room Awaiting Shipping

(Item A.2.5)

TAS 5502-2009 15

ANNEX C

UNIT

Unit and symbol used under this standard and International System of Units (SI) or Le Système

International d’ Unités) admissible herein are as following:

Description Unit Name Unit Symbol

Length Centimeter cm

Temperature Degree Celsius oC

Documents

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD - ACFS · 2011. 6. 3. · THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD TAS 5502-2009 GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES FOR ORCHID PACKING HOUSE National Bureau of Agricultural