Investigation of factors relating to the insect infestation of chocolate-based consumables

摘要

The aim of this study was to examine the factors relating to insect infestation of produceudmanufactured at the Cadbury Schweppes' Tasmanian confectionery plant, in order to determineudmeans by which the incidence of product infestation could be minimized. Analysis of the company'sudinfestation-related consumer complaint databases revealed that: assortments (boxed-chocolates) wereudmost likely to be infested; the geographic distribution of complaints was temperature-dependent;ud'old' stock and/or produce manufactured during spring was most likely to be infested; infested goodsudwere more likely to be purchased from smaller retail outlets and; the costs associated with infestationudwere substantial. Phycitine moths were almost exclusively responsible for infestation, and it was estimatedudthat most cases of infestation occurred post-packaging, most likely while stock was in the hands ofudindependent wholesalers and retailers. A small proportion of infestation probably originated at theudHobart plant, caused by a resident population of the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker). Thisudpopulation was traditionally suppressed by the blanket application of synergised pyrethrinsudthroughout the factory, although, an extensive pheromone trapping program indicated that theudspraying of pyrethrins affected neither the distribution of E. cautella, nor the capture rate, and theuddistribution of E. cautella within the factory was primary dependent upon hygiene conditions. Audsingle room within the factory was identified as the primary source of migratory E. cautella, and audcontrol strategy, based on the mass trapping technique, successfully reduced E. cautella numbers inudthis room to negligible levels. The influence of trap design on E. cautella catch was also evaluated. udAspects of phycitine ecology with regard to the post-packaging infestation of produce wereudexamined, and it was found that both adult and juvenile phycitines responded positively to odoursudescaping from chocolate boxes. The integrity of packaging significantly influenced the likelihood,udand extent, of infestation, while the polyvinyl chloride film used to overwrap assortment boxes wasudfound to be readily penetrated by several stored-product insect species. An alternative polypropyleneudfilm offered significantly improved insect barrier properties. udA number of measures aimed at minimizing both pre- and post- packaging infestation wereudrecommended. At the factory, it was recommended that an insect pest control strategy relying onudadvanced insect detection methods and improved sanitary procedures, supported by an appropriateudmanagement structure, be adopted in preference to the current chemical-based strategy. With regardudto post-packaging infestation, it was recommended that wholesalers and retailers be educated aboutudthe dangers that stored-product insects pose to goods, and methods through which insect apparencyudcan be minimized. It was also recommended that the utility of packaging materials and/orudtechnologies that completely retained odours and provide superior insect barrier qualities beudinvestigated. Also, that quality control procedures be implemented to monitor the integrity of productudpackaging.