Development of Sampling Plan for Inported Food Products Case Study: Fresh Fruits

Abstract

According to the Free Trade Agreement, Thailand had imported a lot of goods especially
fresh fruits. Thus, the import control was needed to ensure that consumer would be safe
from eating those foods. This descriptive study was subjected to develop guideline for
establishment of sampling plan for fresh fruits by collecting data from analytical report from
Department of Medical Science and Customs database. Data were considered as 3 dimensions – 1)
Epidemiology association; Incident of non-compliance with the notification of Ministry of
Public Health: Food Containing Pesticide Residue, 2) Product; Type of pesticide residue
contamination and fresh fruit consumption characteristic (peeled or not peeled), 3) Risk
exposure; quantity of importation. List of fruit at risk was divided into 3 groups depended on
risk level; high risk, Moderate risk and low risk. Number of sample was allocated as; high risk
was 3 times of low risk and moderate risk was 2 times of low risk. New guideline was passed
to 20 FDA inspectors from 14 FDA checkpoints for pre-determined. The brainstorming was
set for discussion on the appropriate of the new guideline. The meeting concluded that the
new guideline for establishment of sampling plan for fresh fruits was appropriate. The
advantages of using this sampling plan were reducing of the inconsistency sampling, reducing
of the budget for laboratory analysis, Using of this sampling plan for fresh fruits also comply
with the Codex guideline on risk management.