Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is proposing new Primary Production and Processing Standards (PPPS) for fresh berries, fresh leafy vegetables and fresh melons in Australia.

These standards have been proposed in line with other primary production and processing standards (eg dairy, meat, eggs, seed sprouts) for products that also have associated food safety risks.

While the berry, melon and leafy vegetable sectors generally produce safe food, FSANZ has concluded that the benefits of the proposed PPPS outweigh the costs, with a return of $138 million in net benefits over 10 years. FSANZ has based this on:

  • their microbial risk assessment;
  • the current lack of national regulation in these sectors;
  • the incomplete uptake of industry-led food safety schemes;
  • the current cost of foodborne illness attributed to these crops.

FSANZ has called for a second round of feedback since it has drafted four (4) options for consideration:

  • Option 1: Retain The Status Quo, ie no new PPPS
  • Option 2: Regulatory Measures Only, ie introduce PPPS for berries, melons and leafy vegetables
  • Option 3: Regulatory Plus Non-Regulatory Measures
  • Option 4: Non-Regulatory Measures

Although a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures (option 3) is currently FSANZ’s preferred option, they are seeking information and views on all options.

Under Option 3, these standards would align with existing industry-led food safety schemes, be outcomes based, and be supported by non-regulated measures such as fact sheets, webinars and face-to-face meetings.

 

Food Safety Elements proposed for Primary Production and Processing Standards (Horticulture)

Fresh Berries

  • Notification of Business
  • Traceability of Produce
  • Management of Water as an Input
  • Construction and Cleanliness of Premises and Equipment
  • Skills and Knowledge
  • Health and Hygiene
  • Sale and Supply of Safe Produce

Fresh Leafy Vegetables and Fresh Melons

  • General Food Safety Management Requirements
  • Traceability of Produce
  • Management of Water as An Input
  • Management of Soil and Fertiliser as Inputs
  • Management of Seed and Seedlings as Inputs (Leafy Vegetables Only)
  • Management of the Growing Site
  • Management of Food Safety Following Weather Events
  • Construction and Cleanliness of Premises and Equipment
  • Maintaining an Appropriate Temperature of Harvested Produce
  • Appropriate Washing and Sanitation of Produce
  • Management of Animals and Pests
  • Skills and Knowledge
  • Health and Hygiene
  • Sale and Supply of Safe Produce

The full proposal can be found here.

If you are interested to provide feedback, FSANZ are seeking feedback before 9 February 2022.
Submissions should be made in writing and be marked clearly with the words ‘Submission to proposal P1052’. Submissions can be e-mailed to submissions@foodstandards.gov.au.