On June 5, a graduate of Anton de Kom University of Suriname marked a key milestone for the country’s agricultural processing sector, completing her bachelor’s degree with a research project that delivers tangible, science-backed improvements to local food safety. Sieromenie Parta, a student in the Agricultural Production bachelor program focused on agroprocessing at the university’s Faculty of Technological Sciences, successfully defended her final thesis this Thursday, which centered on building a custom Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) framework for Surinamese food processor Chimady N.V.’s frozen cut sopropo, also known as bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) production line.
The project was developed in direct response to a clear industry gap: while food safety depends entirely on proactive risk management across every stage of production, Chimady N.V. lacked a systematic, research-based approach to identifying and mitigating hazards specific to its frozen bitter melon operations. Without this structured framework, the company faced ongoing risks of inconsistent product quality, compromised safety, and limited ability to meet regional and international market standards.
To address this need, Parta mapped and analyzed the entirety of Chimady N.V.’s frozen cut sopropo production process, taking a holistic approach that assessed every factor capable of impacting final product safety. After completing a full hazard analysis across all production stages, she identified all Critical Control Points (CCPs) – points in the process where hazards can be prevented, eliminated, or reduced to safe levels. For each identified CCP, Parta developed detailed, actionable protocols including critical safety limits, routine monitoring procedures, corrective actions for out-of-specification production, verification processes, and required documentation standards. All these components were integrated into a full HACCP plan tailored specifically to Chimady N.V.’s unique operating conditions and product line.
In her analysis of the plan’s impact, Parta noted that the new framework provides a structured system for managing food safety risks across every step of production. By catching and addressing potential hazards early in the process, the HACCP plan makes it far easier for Chimady N.V. to consistently deliver a safe, high-quality final product. Beyond core safety improvements, the plan also supports more consistent application of control measures, more accurate production record-keeping, and greater overall reliability of the company’s entire production workflow.
The research delivers both academic and practical value for Chimady N.V., laying a foundational framework to further strengthen food safety practices, quality assurance, and sustainable growth of the company’s production activities. Importantly, the relevance of Parta’s work extends far beyond a single Surinamese processor. As global demand for safe, high-quality processed food continues to rise, robust food safety systems have become a critical factor in determining the global competitiveness of Suriname’s agricultural processing sector. Widespread adoption of HACCP principles like the one developed in this study can boost overall national food safety, increase consumer confidence in Surinamese food products, and open greater access to regional and international export markets.
Parta’s research also aligns closely with the core goals of Climate Smart Agriculture, an approach focused on building sustainable food production systems that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, including extreme rainfall, drought, and rising average temperatures. By systematically identifying and controlling food safety hazards, the HACCP system helps reduce food waste, while ensuring the quality and safety of end products are maintained even as changing climate conditions introduce new production challenges.
A strong, sustainable agricultural processing sector delivers broad economic benefits for Suriname, driving overall economic growth, increasing export volumes, creating new local jobs, and adding greater value to domestically grown agricultural commodities. Against this backdrop, Parta’s project also makes an important contribution to the ongoing professionalization of the entire Surinamese agricultural processing sector.
The research was conducted and evaluated under the supervision of an expert panel of academic and industry professionals, including MSc Rewish Somai (faculty and practical assessor), MSc Mayuri Jaggan (sub-assessor), Dr. Lydia Ori (professor and chair of the assessment committee), and MSc Nareen Gajadin (external assessor).