Quality Assurance in the Truffle Industry
There has been discussion within the industry towards the development and implementation of a quality assurance scheme. From a recent survey in Australia, comparisons were drawn between respondents from different states and different size plantings and age of operation. It is apparent that most growers are using basic internal production techniques, such as soil testing, hygiene protocols and standard grading in an attempt to enhance productivity and to promote quality in their product. The level of adoption of external production standards and certification systems appears lower than that for internal production techniques. Some of the external systems being implemented by a small percentage of respondents are industry accreditation (NIASA), organic certification (Organic Growers of Australia), a customer quality system and food safety certification.
There are benefits and drawbacks associated with an industry specific QA scheme. The most pertinent benefits raised by respondents are improved marketing opportunities to help producers of all sizes sell their product, stability and maintenance of prices and formation of guidelines for best practice. The most significant drawback raised was cost. In particular, the financial cost associated with implementation and the time required.
Two recent papers of interest are included below for your reference. The first is the study referred to above, QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN TRUFFLE INDUSTRY, being the work of Nathan Carter, a student of the University of Melbourne. The second is a paper from Dr Ian Hall of New Zealand, WHAT IS AN IDEAL TRUFFLE INFECTED PLANT, and refers particularly to tree supply. Dr Hall is one of the Authors’ of ‘Taming the Truffle’, a book available from this site.
