SUPPLY CHAIN AND QUALITY AND SAFETY OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS IN BULGAR...

3.3. Supply chain and quality and safety of organic products in Bulgaria

Organic production is associated with high quality and safety. Respondents were asked how the supply chain could influence quality and safety of organic products in Bulgaria. They identified two major isues associated with the impact of supply chain on quality and safety of organic products in the country. On the first place it is the responsibility of all interested parties along the chain – all the participants along the supply chain of organic products have to follow the requirements for safety and quality in production, storage and sales of products. All of them are interested to be informed and to take measures complying with the high standards of safety and quality of the organic product. The second possible point of intersection between supply chain and quality and safety is the danger of "cross-contamination with conventional products – when organic products are handled by intermediaries along the supply chain, during the process of distribution, transport, storage and selling it could appear the so-called “cross-contamination” – contamination with conventional products. Organic standards include obligatory requirements for storage, transport and processing of organic products. Danger of replacement with conventional products is minimal by large retail chains that have their own programs to test the quality of products (particularly new suppliers). At the same time it is necessary to exercise strong control and to be ensured traceability along the chain - organic production supposes high level of traceability, which in turn ensure the safety of products. Control along the supply chain of organic food from production and processing to selling plays an important role in maintaining the quality and safety.