Food loss assessment in micro, small and medium-sized agro-industrial enterprises

This research emerges from a growing concern to face the problem owing food loss (FL), with purpose evaluate processes in agro-industrial product elaboration, focusing on determination of critical points (FLCP) promote their further reduction. The was carried out Costa Rican MSME (micro, small and medium-sized enterprise), dedicated processing tropical fruits. FL assessment proposed methodology enabled establishment valorization team (FLVT) for multidisciplinary approach throughout study, as well flowchart construction selected process (soursop pulping) identification quantification losses. (FLP) performed using matrix criticality index based severity probability occurrence; which led points. As result, four FLCP were detected; regarding raw materials input, pulping operation transference processed pulps into containers. case study shows that applied allows determine an such studied, first action identify reduce loss, improve efficiency consider waste management strategies.