Posts from the "Latest News" category
Fresh & Safe News September 2025
VOLUME 13 ~ SEPTEMBER 2025
I am delighted to be sharing this update with you in my first month at FPSC. The centre has some really impactful work underway already, and I am excited about the many opportunities we have to increase collaboration and improve food safety outcomes in the fresh produce industry going forward.
For those who don’t know me, I am originally from Ireland and now live in Wellington with my wife where we have been based since 2015. Prior to joining FPSC, I was the General Manager of NZGAP (New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice) at Horticulture New Zealand, which enables the production and supply of safe and sustainable fruit and vegetables via certification programmes for Food Safety, Social Practice and Environment. I have nearly a decade of experience in the horticulture industry, and previously I attained a degree and PhD in Biosystems Engineering at University College Dublin which included studying modules in food engineering, food safety, bioprocessing and crop science.
FPSC Seeks New Zealand-based Board Director
With incoming CEO Damien Farrelly stepping into the Chief Executive role, the Fresh Produce Safety Centre is now seeking a New Zealand-based Director to ensure balanced trans-Tasman leadership at the Board level.
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Welcoming Dr Damien Farrelly as Incoming CEO of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC)
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Damien Farrelly as the next CEO of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC), commencing 18 August 2025.
Damien brings deep expertise in food safety, assurance systems, and industry collaboration. As General Manager – NZGAP at Horticulture New Zealand, he has led national engagement on food safety policy, overseen multi-year funding programs, and built strong partnerships across government, industry, and research.
Fresh and Safe News Vol 12 April 2025
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…
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FPSC seeks EOI for speakers at IFPSS25
The International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium 2025 (IFPSS25) in Sydney on 29-30 July 2025 is set to bring together local and global experts to explore cutting-edge innovations, emerging risks, and adaptations shaping the future security and safety of fresh produce. We are inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) from people across the industry to contribute to a dynamic, solutions-focused program.
We are seeking diverse and thought-provoking presentations, including innovative solutions and technology, climate and risk resilience, sustainability and food safety, global standards and compliance and supply chain traceability.
This symposium is an opportunity to share insights, drive meaningful change, and connect with global industry leaders committed to the future of fresh produce food safety.
Download the EOI HERE for more important information. To express your interest or submit an abstract, please contact Jody Sharpe, Communications & Events Officer – events@fpsc-anz.com
Deadline: 27 February 2025
Fresh and Safe News Vol. 11 February 2025
Welcome to 2025 and the first edition of Fresh & Safe News for the year!
As we step into a new year, I’d like to extend my gratitude to our industry partners, stakeholders, and the broader fresh produce community for your continued engagement and commitment to food safety.
This edition dives into some of the key priorities shaping the year ahead, including the new Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards for melons, berries, and leafy vegetables, which take effect on 12 February 2025 in Australia. FPSC is committed to supporting industry through targeted outreach, guidance, and collaboration, ensuring businesses have the resources they need to meet these new requirements.
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Agriculture Victoria launches new fact sheet ahead of PPP standards for melons, berries and leafy veg
Agriculture Victoria has released the fact sheet ‘Food Safety Requirements for Horticulture Melons Leafy Vegetables Berries’ ahead of new standards.
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Fresh & Safe News Vol. 10 – December 2024
From the Desk of the CEO
Welcome to Volume 10 of Fresh & Safe News
As we reflect on the year that has been, I am immensely proud of the progress we’ve made in elevating fresh produce food safety discussions across Australia and New Zealand. This year, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC), a milestone highlighted by the success of our inaugural International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium.
FPSC committed to cybersecurity
At the Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand (FPSC), we prioritise the security and integrity of our digital infrastructure. On 11 December 2024, FPSC-ANZ was made aware of a claim regarding an exposure of a historical website backup file.
Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the file was a legacy website backup from April 2021. The file did not contain any sensitive personal data or financial information.
We have taken immediate steps to further secure our systems, including the removal of the exposed file. These measures include subscribing to a dedicated security plan with ongoing website monitoring, malware scanning, and proactive vulnerability management.
FPSC remains committed to transparency and cybersecurity best practices. We are actively collaborating with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and other relevant authorities to address the situation and ensure continued protection of our stakeholders and partners.
For further inquiries, please contact us at?ceo@fpsc-anz.com.
Fresh & Safe Vol. 9 – October 2024 out now!
As we approach the end of 2024, the FPSC-ANZ is proud of the strides we are making in elevating food safety discussions across the fresh produce sector. Read the latest edition of Fresh & Safe News.
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