Photo: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble / Flickr, CC BY 2.0

The Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC) has announced that a joint proposal – from TQA Australia Inc, RMCG, and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research in New Zealand, in concert with the Food Safety Centre at the University of Tasmania – has been selected as the successful bid for the “Understanding the Gaps” literature review of fresh produce safety research.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of this trans-Tasman group of organisations to conduct this vitally important literature review,” said FPSC Chairman Michael Worthington.

“They provide a high level of ‘on the ground’ and scientific research experience, and they are very well positioned to understand the research literature relating to fresh produce safety across Australia and New Zealand.”

The literature review will focus on sources of microbial contamination for fresh produce across general production variables, agricultural water, organic inputs & composting and the storage environment. It will also examine the interaction of sanitisers with fungicides.

The review will provide the fresh produce industries in both countries with up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations on practices that lead to better food safety risk management.

The review will be completed by the end of June 2015 and information from the review will feed into the Fresh Produce Safety Centre’s review of the Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety.

The “Understanding the Gaps” project has been generously supported by the following organisations:
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The Fresh Produce Safety Centre has been established by the PMA A-NZ and the University of Sydney to enhance fresh produce safety across Australia and New Zealand through research, outreach and education.

For further information please contact FPSC Executive Director Emma Walters on +61 2 8627 1058 or FPSC Technology Manager Richard Bennett on +61 429 329 731.

Further information is available at: https://fpsc-anz.com/understanding/