Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Food safety

IICA strengthens SME’s through traceability training

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

On August 30th and 31st, over 35 participants from eight different private sector business entities took part in a two-day work shop held at the George price Centre in Belmopan.  The training included an in-depth training on the principles and practice of traceability funded by the 10th European Development Fund “Support to the Forum of Caribbean States in the implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures” being executed by IICA.

On August 30th and 31st, over 35 participants from eight different private sector business entities took part in a two-day work shop held at the George price Centre in Belmopan.  The training included an in-depth training on the principles and practice of traceability funded by the 10th European Development Fund “Support to the Forum of Caribbean States in the implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures” being executed by IICA.

This event was a second phase of the project geared towards building the capacity of Public and Private Sector Professionals in the development of Traceability Systems of SME’s to support the implementation of SPS measures and contribute to increased trade opportunities in CARIFORUM countries. The first phase of the training included a regional workshop on the Principles and Practice of Traceability of key technical officers in the various countries.

For this IICA had engaged the Institute of Food Technologist’s Global Food Traceability Center (IFT-GFT). Key trainers from IFT-GFT were Tejas Bhatt (Team Leader) Director for the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He directs IFT’s science and policy initiatives related to food traceability;  Robert B. Gravani a Professor of Food Science at Cornell University; and Jaheon Koo Director of Food Safety Programs at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

Key SME’s included Quality Poultry, Caribbean Chicken, Hot Mama’s (pepper sauce), and technical officers from the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA).

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

June 5, 2025

At IICA, Costa Rican cacao producers are recognized for the excellence of their products and for their contribution to rural development and nutrition in the region

Experts analyzed 15 samples of cacao from various parts of the Central American country, with the five that received the highest scores then declared winners of the 2025 competition. The same five samples were sent to Rome, Italy, where they will represent Costa Rica in the international “Cacao of Excellence” competition, the stepping stone to the International Cocoa Awards.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Turrialba, Costa Rica

June 3, 2025

On a study visit to Costa Rica, ministers of Agriculture, rural youth and women of the Eastern Caribbean were introduced to improved agricultural practices

The mission began with two days of activities at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, including meeting with the IICA Director General, Manuel Otero. The visitors then travelled to CATIE.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

June 2, 2025

Ibero-America sees biofuels as a solution to decarbonize the energy sector  

The annual meeting of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE), held in San Jose and Guanacaste, Costa Rica, featured the II Entrepreneurial Forum, attracting 200 participants, including the Costa Rican Minister of Environment and Energy, the Executive Secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and authorities of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB); the XV Regular Annual Meeting of the ARIAE General Assembly, which was attended by 17 regulatory agencies of ARIAE; and the XXVI Annual Meeting of ARIAE Energy Regulators.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins