Harvesting & Post-Harvest Handling Flashcards
7 cards from real GAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Harvesting & Post-Harvest Handling flashcards as text
When testing irrigation or wash water used during harvest, which pathogen indicator is most commonly monitored under U.S. GAP guidelines?
Answer: Generic E. coli
Generic E. coli is used as an indicator organism for fecal contamination in agricultural water testing under FSMA and GAP guidelines.
A packing shed is located adjacent to animal housing. Under GAP, which measure is most critical to implement?
Answer: Physical barriers and buffer zones to prevent animal intrusion and runoff contamination
Physical separation via barriers and buffers prevents animal feces and runoff from contaminating the packing environment.
Which method of produce washing is most effective at reducing microbial load on the surface of fresh vegetables?
Answer: Chlorinated water wash with maintained free chlorine of 1–3 ppm
Chlorinated wash water maintained at proper concentration effectively reduces surface microbial populations compared to plain water alone.
During harvest, a supervisor discovers that a portable toilet in the field has not been serviced in two weeks and is overflowing. The GAP-compliant response is to:
Answer: Halt harvesting near the unit, restrict the area, and arrange immediate servicing
GAP requires sanitary facilities to be properly maintained; an overflowing unit is a contamination hazard requiring immediate halting of adjacent operations.
What is the recommended minimum frequency for cleaning and sanitizing food-contact surfaces in a produce packing operation under GAP?
Answer: Before each use and periodically throughout the day as needed
GAP requires food-contact surfaces to be cleaned before use and as frequently as necessary during operations to prevent pathogen buildup.
Wax coatings are applied to some fresh produce after harvest primarily to:
Answer: Reduce moisture loss and improve appearance during marketing
Post-harvest wax application reduces transpiration water loss and enhances appearance, though it may also replace some natural wax removed during washing.
A GAP audit finds that harvest workers are eating in the field among the crop rows. This practice is a concern primarily because:
Answer: Food and drink consumption in the field can introduce pathogens via hands and personal items to the crop
Eating in the field can transfer pathogens from workers' hands and personal items directly to harvested produce.