To ensure that good quality, disease-free products are exported, all packing houses must conform to certain specifications in order to be certified for the packing of commodities for export. The inspection of these packing houses are done by the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspectors.
Requirements
- Building must be different from dwelling house.
- Building must be of sound construction.
- Floor must be of concrete to facilitate washing after packing.
- Floor space should be a minimum of 600 sq. ft. (55 sq. metres).
- Suitable fixtures and equipment for grading and handling of the produce must be in place such as:
- tables for sorting and grading,
- tanks for washing and chemical treatment
- drying racks or pallets
- Building should have:
- adequate lighting
- adequate drainage
- proper sanitary facilities
- adequate storage space (for boxes and chemicals)
- Packing house must be separate from any activity that could be considered incompatible with the handling of fresh produce.
- Access to a telephone is recommended.
- There must be adequate space for the loading and unloading of produce.
- Building must be protected against the entry of insects, birds, rodents and other vermin or anything likely to contaminate the produce.
- There should be adequate provisions in the packing house to ensure proper inspection of produce by Plant Quarantine /Produce Inspectors.
- All operations must take place under the cover of the approved packing house.
Contact us:
Plant Quarantine Main Office
(876) 977-0637, 977-6992, 977-6401
Export Complex - Kingston
(876) 924-8906, 924-8736, 924-8742
Export Complex - Montego Bay
(876) 940-9146, 940-5661
