Training workshop report on fruit juice production techniques for small scale industries held at CSIR-Food Research Institute, Okponglo, Accra, Ghana from 31st March - 5th April, 2011

Abstract

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI), Okponglo, Accra organized a training workshop on processing of fruits at the premises of the CSIR-FRI, Okponglo, Accra from 30th March to 5th April 2011. Processing, preservation and storage of fruits is a challenge resulting in high post-harvest losses of fruits in Ghana. The high moisture content of fruits demands that they are processed before storage. This four day training workshop was therefore conducted for fruit juice processors to be trained on the principles, concepts and technical skills in processing of fruits into juices, Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. The format of the training was 30% theory and 70% hands-on practical demonstrations on processing of fruits. During the training workshop water melon, citrus, grape, pineapple, orange, mango and mandarin were processed into juices. A training manual entitled ‘‘Training manual on processing of fruits into juices” was made available to trainees as the main training document during the training workshop. During evaluation of the training workshop trainees expressed their sincere thanks to the organizers and requested for more of such training workshops