Problems and results of computer aided quality assurance systems in food industry and horticulture

To operate a reliable quality assurance system in food industry, stable quality of raw materials is required. The Single European Market has just recently reached the point where its border has been opened to integrate members of food industry, as well. As the demand for quality assured raw materials grew, we started to examine the possibilities of adopting ISO quality assurance system standards to fruit and vegetable production. We investigated the possible points of generalization, starting from the usual biochemical and chemical quality assurance systems, and we recognized the necessity of developing a computer aided system based on the modem tools of information technology. The special field of our work has been determined by one of the biggest Hungarian agricultural cooperative (ARPAD Co., Szentes). In the frame of this research we designed information network to support the QA system of the cooperative, software and information base for the main paprika, tomato, cucumber and Chinese cabbage production steps.