From the Desk of the CEO

The Horticulture Food Safety Initiative (HFSI) aims to elevate Food Safety Standards in the ANZ Fresh Produce Industry with an initial focus on melons, berries, and leafy vegetables. We are pleased to share our latest progress update on this project.

Industry engagement plan and outreach activities

Our industry engagement plan, initially focusing on melons, berries and leafy vegetables, is now underway. With the implementation of new food safety standards in Australia (4.2.7 for berries, 4.2.8 for leafy vegetables and 4.2.9 for melons) in February 2025. As part of the industry engagement plan, outreach has included a range of in person roadshows and online events. These events have mostly focused on preparing growers for the new standards including presentations on food safety practices and compliance requirements, supported by materials like checklists and access to best practice guidance. Additionally training materials for Industry Development Officers (IDOs) and Regional Development Officers (RDOs) have been developed as part of building a food safety extension team, focusing on berries and leafy vegetables. Training sessions for these officers were held in November 2024, equipping them to further disseminate information to growers.

For further information please reach out through our Helpdesk feature on our website or by email:  technical@fpsc-anz.com

National Farmers Federation Market Day

Held at Brisbane Markets, this informative and engaging session on Thursday 12th December included briefings from Brisbane Markets and Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) on national projects and priorities.

NSW Vegetable Field Innovation Day

I took part in the NSW Vegetable Innovation Day at the NSW DPIRD Local Land Services Demonstration Farm in Richmond today, along with our Communications & Events Officer Jody Sharpe. The event showcased the latest varieties of sweet corn and zucchini, and was attended by growers, agronomists and industry professionals.

Are you a primary producer or processor of melons, berries or leafy vegetables in Australia?

If you are involved in the production or processing of melons, berries or leafy vegetables and are looking for guidance, please visit the following sites for more information:

FSANZ

The Food Standards Code Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) provides resources and information to help growers and processors meet regulatory requirements including the Primary production and processing (PPP) standards for fresh produce, as well as Infobites, animations and the newly published ‘Safe Horticulture Australia’ guidebook.

Visit your peak industry body for valuable resources:

AUSVEG

Find industry updates and food safety resources for leafy vegetables and other fresh produce. CLICK HERE for more information.

Berries Australia

Access tailored information and resources to support safe and sustainable berry production. CLICK HERE for more information.

Melons Australia

Explore the ‘Safe Melon Toolkit’ for best practice and guidance on maintaining food safety and quality melon production. CLICK HERE for more information.

Fresh Markets Australia (FMA)

National industry organisation providing support services and facilitating the marketing and distribution of fresh produce in Australia. CLICK HERE for more information.

Register your business with your local state/ territory food regulatory authority before 12 February 2025. Click the links below for more information:

• FSANZ
• Agriculture Victoria
• Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
• Northern Territory Government
• NSW Food Authority
• Safe Food QLD
• South Australian Health – Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Find out more on possible recognition pathways for Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) food safety certification schemes, such as Freshcare.

Food Safety Helpdesk – FREE Technical Support for Fresh Produce

The Fresh Produce Food Safety Helpdesk was launched in August 2024 as an accessible resource to address food safety inquiries from growers, particularly small to medium, those who are non-certified or English second language producers. The helpdesk includes an online chat, email support, and a mobile line, with a set of FAQs covering frequently raised topics such as regulatory standards, testing procedures, and best practices in produce safety. The Fresh Produce Food Safety Helpdesk has been receiving enquiries, but we want to remind industry members that this resource is here for you, and it’s for FREE! Whether you have a question about food safety standards, need compliance advice, or require guidance on where to find the right support or information, our Helpdesk is designed to assist you with all your needs.

EMAIL: helpdesk@fpsc-anz.com

PHONE: +61 407 814 730 or +64 27 620 2729

WEBSITE: https://fpsc-anz.com

Comprehensive Review of the?Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety?Underway

We are pleased to announce that the comprehensive review of the?Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety?is officially underway. This significant initiative reflects our commitment to providing the fresh produce industry with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practices to ensure the safety of fresh fruit and vegetables across Australia and New Zealand.

A technical review team, comprised of leading food safety experts and industry representatives, has been established to spearhead the project. The team is dedicated to ensuring the revised guidelines are both practical and relevant, incorporating the latest scientific research and industry insights.

A detailed project plan has been mapped out to guide the review process, with a strong emphasis on consultation and collaboration. Key milestones include scheduled opportunities for stakeholder feedback to ensure the revised guidelines address the diverse needs of the fresh produce industry. This collaborative approach will engage producers, processors, food safety scheme owners, retailers, researchers, and regulatory bodies, ensuring the final guidelines reflect a broad range of perspectives and expertise.

In addition to revising the core guidelines, the updated 2025 version will include a standalone appendix outlining the regulatory and compliance frameworks across Australia and New Zealand. This dedicated appendix aims to serve as a practical reference for industry members navigating the regulatory landscape, helping ensure alignment with legal requirements and best practices.

Our goal is to launch the updated?Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety 2025?at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium, taking place in Sydney on 29-30 July 2025. This event will provide an ideal platform to showcase the revised guidelines and their pivotal role in supporting the industry to deliver safe, high-quality fresh produce to consumers.

FPSC looks forward to keeping you updated as this important project progresses. We encourage all industry stakeholders to participate in the consultation process when opportunities arise. Together, we can continue to strengthen food safety practices and enhance consumer trust in the fresh produce supply chain.

For more information about the guidelines review or to express your interest in contributing to the consultation process, please contact us at?ceo@fpsc-anz.com.

Annual Industry Engagement Survey

Thank you to everyone who completed our annual survey. The survey was designed to gather valuable insights from you – our growers, industry stakeholders, and partners, so that we can continue to evolve our outreach and support to better meet your needs.

? SAVE THE DATE 29-30 JULY 2025

Following the successful inaugural IFPSS24 held in Sydney in August, the FPSC is thrilled to confirm the dates for 2025. Mark your calendars now! You won’t want to miss the world-class speakers, unbeatable networking, dynamic presentations, live panel discussion and more… Watch the recap video via the link below for all the highlights from IFPSS24 and a sneak peek at what’s in store for next year.

Exhibition spaces and sponsorships are selling fast already! Contact Jody at events@fpsc-anz.com for all the details.

FEBRUARY

24-27 | BerryQuest International, Hobart TAS MORE

MARCH

5-6 | AIFST 2025 Microbiology Conference, Sydney AUS MORE

JUNE

4-6 | Hort Connections, Brisbane AUS MORE

JULY

29-30 | International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium, Sydney AUS – SAVE THE DATE! MORE INFO TO COME SOON…

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