All indicators of product quality are measured by the
breeding company inside the firm. Also, additional product
quality measurements take place in the firms of growers and
in retail shops. In the wholesale company all indicators are
measured (except for salubrity) inside the company by quality
inspectors of the company and by the KCB (Dutch Quality
Control Bureau). In the distribution center and in the
supermarkets most of the indicators are measured on the basis
of subjective perceptions, without performing formal tests,
e.g. for the appearance of the tomato, color is checked by
looking to see how red the tomato is. Product safety and
salubrity are not measured in the distribution center and in
the supermarkets, though these indicators are important, and
should be checked according to standard regulations
(especially product safety). Interviewees from the
supermarkets believe that it is checked in the distribution
center. However, the interviewee from the distribution center
believed that measurement was done by the wholesaler.
Obviously the different actors in the supply chain do not have
adequate information about what the previous actor does to
the products, which can have grave consequences for product
safety.