Total quality management in fruit processing industries in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Ensuring quality in food products is beneficial to the firm in terms of increasing market share and profitability, besides offering a noble service to the society. Acts such as Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1955, fruits products order 1955, export (Quality control and Inspection) Act 1963, etc. , were enforced to ensure quality and safety of food products. They primarily focused on end-point inspection to ensure quality and safety of food products. The rejuvenation of Consumer Protection Councils, changes in economic policies since the early nineties and the trade reforms initiated by the World Trade Organisation have necessitated a productive approach in ensuring quality. This could be achieved by implementing Total Quality Management (TQM). This study focuses on analyzing the existing practices followed by Fruit Processing Industries in Dharmapuri district, Tamilnadu, to produce quality mango pulp and identify issues that affect the quality of the product. It also explores the implementation of Total Quality Management through ISO 9001 certification, Hazard Analysis, and Critical Control Points (HACCP), committed leadership and employee involvement. The study concludes that documentation, review of the performance and executing and executing and corrective measures by employees at various stages of processing as the primary step towards continuous improvement in quality.