From the desk of the CEO

As we progress through 2025, the importance of our collective commitment to food safety has been underscored by recent events. In March, several major Australian retailers, including Aldi, Woolworths, Coles, and Metcash, initiated recalls of spinach and mixed salad products across multiple states following the detection of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in two spinach products. No illnesses have been linked to the recalled products. The recalls are a proactive measure to protect Australian consumers.

READ MORE…

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical work we do to safeguard both the industry and consumers. It highlights the necessity of robust food safety management systems, traceability and the need for continuous vigilance throughout the supply chain. At the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC), we remain steadfast in our mission to support the industry by translating science into practical tools and real-world solutions, ensuring the safety of fresh produce for all.

The Horticulture Food Safety Initiative (HFSI) continues to gain momentum, with our Community of Practice now exceeding 85 members across Australia and New Zealand. The recent establishment of sub-Communities of Practice allows for focused collaboration on priority areas, fostering peer learning and shared solutions. Our engagements at events like BerryQuest, the Victorian berry grower webinar and the Vegetables New Zealand Roadshows have further reinforced the value of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening food safety systems.

We are also expanding our food safety outreach through initiatives like the Fresh Produce Food Safety Helpdesk and our broader engagement with diverse fresh produce categories. We aim to provide inclusive support to growers of all sizes and backgrounds.

Looking ahead, the upcoming International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium 2025 will be another milestone in this journey – bringing together global and local voices to discuss the innovations and challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to welcoming many of you there.

Thank you for being part of this collaborative effort to raise the bar on fresh produce safety. Together, we are strengthening the systems that protect consumers and support our industry’s reputation.

Warm regards,
Farzana
CEO, Fresh Produce Safety Centre

IFPSS Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now!

The International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium (IFPSS) returns to the Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach 29-30 July

The IFPSS will once again bring together global and local experts, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss emerging challenges, regulatory developments, and innovative solutions in fresh produce food safety.

The future of fresh produce food safety is evolving rapidly, and there’s no better person?to guide us through these changes than this year’s special keynote speaker Professor Jim Monaghan – a globally recognised leader in crop science, fresh produce safety, and agricultural innovation.

As Director of the Centre for Crop and Environmental Science at Harper Adams University, Jim has spent over three decades pioneering research at the intersection of food safety, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. His extensive work has transformed food safety standards across the fresh produce sector, from field to fork.

What Makes Jim Unmissable?

Decades of Impact – Jim has shaped global food safety policies, working with major retailers, industry bodies, and regulatory agencies.

Real-World Expertise – From working with Marks & Spencer on salad safety to leading international research on microbial risk management, his work directly influences how fresh produce is grown, handled, and consumed.

Cutting-Edge Innovation – Jim’s research tackles the biggest challenges in climate-adaptive crop production, foodborne pathogen reduction, and new technologies shaping the industry.

Global Reach – His expertise has shaped food safety strategies from the UK to South Africa, Morocco, Spain, and beyond.

Jim will bring his expertise to the stage, offering essential insights into the evolving landscape of food safety, sustainability, and the science driving the future of fresh produce.

This year we’re presenting a full two-day programme full of high-impact conversations across the fresh produce supply chain that you won’t want to miss! More programme details and speakers will be announced soon.

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Sponsorships & Exhibition packages available now!

Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural event in 2024, IFPSS25 is bigger, bolder, and more influential than ever with a broader range of sponsorships on offer to accommodate varying budgets, starting at just A$550 inc. gst! The momentum is building fast and here’s a snapshot of why you should be involved:

  • Direct access to key decision-makers, growers, and industry leaders seeking trusted safety and technology partners
  • Elevated brand visibility at the Southern Hemisphere’s premier fresh produce safety event
  • Lead generation opportunities through structured networking and targeted exposure
  • New sponsorship tiers and tailored packages to maximise your return on investment and fit your goals

You can view the full range of sponsorship and exhibition options at www.ifpss.com.au or contact Jody at events@fpsc-anz.com.

Horticulture Food Safety Initiative Update

with Susannah Roelofsz

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.

Growing Connections, Supporting Industry and Strengthening Food Safety

The HFSI continues to gain momentum, with our Community of Practice (CoP) now surpassing 85 members across Australia and New Zealand. As our network grows, we’re excited to introduce sub-COP – smaller, focused groups diving deeper into priority areas of food safety, as voted by our members:

  1. Pre- and post-harvest food safety and quality
  2. Food safety regulation and compliance
  3. Technology and innovation in food safety
  4. Crisis management and weather events

These sub-COPs will provide a platform for targeted collaboration, peer learning and shared solutions, helping to build capability across all parts of the supply chain. If you are interested in joining our community, please email: technical@fpsc-anz.com

Industry collaboration at BerryQuest 2025

In February, FPSC CEO Farzana Adams delivered a powerful presentation at BerryQuest on bridging industry, science and regulation for fresh produce food safety. In a hyperconnected world, consumer safety and brand protection have never been more important. Farzana spoke about the value of cross-sector collaboration in closing research gaps, shaping best practices and future-proofing our food safety systems. We thoroughly enjoyed attending BerryQuest25, including the engaging farm day tour, informative sessions and valuable networking opportunities. It was great to connect with growers and industry partners, all working together to strengthen the berry industry. Thank you for a fantastic event!

Supporting Victorian berry growers

Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar in March, focused on the new food safety regulations for berry producers. I joined an expert panel featuring Angela Steain (Freshcare Ltd), Emily Scott (Agriculture Victoria) and Shane Herbertson (Agriculture Victoria). Together, the panel provided valuable insights into the registration process for Victoria’s food safety standards, the data-sharing arrangements between Freshcare and Agriculture Victoria, and a practical walkthrough of the AV Connect platform. The session emphasised how Victorian growers can meet regulatory expectations through GFSI recognised food safety assurance schemes, such as Freshcare, as well as sharing best practice food safety. If you missed the session, please contact Emily Scott (emily.g.scott@agriculture.vic.gov.au) for a copy of the recording.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) Recall: Bagged Leafy Product

We are monitoring the ongoing investigation into the Australian recall of bagged leafy product (baby spinach) due to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This incident underscores the importance of having robust food safety management systems in place. An effective recall of non-conforming product was executed, demonstrating how systems can act swiftly to protect public health and maintain consumer confidence.
To support industry in managing microbial risks, NSW DPI has published a new resource by Dr SP Singh: “STEC contamination of leafy vegetables and risk management” (Primefact PUB25/305, April 2025).
This guidance outlines key risk factors – such as irrigation water, compost use, weather events, and postharvest hygiene – and provides practical strategies for risk mitigation, microbiological testing, and preharvest verification. You can access this factsheet in the Resources section of our website HERE.
We encourage all leafy vegetable growers and processors to review this important resource as part of their continuous improvement efforts.

For more information on these recalls please visit the dedicated FSANZ webpage: Shiga-toxin producing?E. coli (STEC) in spinach products | Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Expanding food safety outreach across the fresh produce sector

The Horticulture Food Safety Initiative initially focused on melons, berries and leafy vegetables, and is now broadening its outreach across additional fresh produce categories. If you are planning an upcoming food safety event, we’d love to support you, please reach out to our team to collaborate: technical@fpsc-anz.com

FREE Food Safety Help Desk

The Fresh Produce Food Safety Help Desk was launched in 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 help desk includes an online chat, email support, and a mobile line, with a set of FAQs covering frequently raised food safety topics. Our help desk 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 help desk is designed to assist you with all your needs.

2025 Calendar of Events
MAY

1-2 | Food For Thought Workshop with Frank Yiannas, Auckland NZ MORE

7-8 | Mango Industry Biosecurity Preparedness Workshop. Brisbane AUS MORE

JUNE

4 | Australian Melon Conference, Brisbane AUS MORE

4-6 | Hort Connections, Brisbane AUS MORE

24-26 | NZIFST Conference, Palmerston North, NZ MORE

JULY

29-30 | International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium, Sydney AUS MORE

AUGUST

6-8 | Australian Banana Industry Congress, Brisbane AUS MORE

12-13 | AIFST Convention, Melbourne VIC MORE

26-27 | New Zealand Horticulture Conference, Wellington NZ MORE