Posts from the "Research News" category
New Presentation: “Fresh Produce Safety: A Collaborative Model” Summary by Dr. Robyn McConchie
A presentation delivered at PMA Fresh Connections last month by Dr. Robyn McConchie provides a summary of the the outcomes achieved by FPS A&NZ.
Click here to view the presentation.
Over the past year the program has raised awareness of the risks involved in food safety through a number of avenues:
Forum in November last year Bob Whitaker, Bonnie Fernandez- Fenaroli and Lorna Christie
Development of this website with a monthly newsletter
Formed a partnership with the CPS in the US on funding research and also sharing of information so that the wheel wouldn’t be reinvented – they have very generously shared their research outcomes so as to build on that work rather than start from scratch.
We have also spoken at the Biennial Freshcare Workshop in April where we also drew on the knowledge and expertise of those involved in QA to identify the most pressing research needs of the industry
Importantly we have canvassed industry on every occasion to scope out the feasibility of setting up a similar centre that would be independent but affiliated with the CPS in the US. Affiliated in the sense that we share information and outcomes.
Conducted an industry survey through the registered newsletter recipients who represent all stakeholders of the industry – Does Industry need a Fresh Produce Safety Centre?
After this Survey, it was established that the industry did want and need a Fresh Produce Safety Centre. How it will operate, what its roles will be and where to from here can all be seen in the full presentation by Dr. McConchie.
Read Article →‘What it takes to instill a food safety culture in your business’ new presentation
Food Safety in our industry is a consumer-right, requiring a collaborative effort from all sectors of the industry. Dr Douglas Powell, Professor of food safety at Kansas State University was at PMA Fresh Connections 2013 Conference last week to challenge businesses not to rely on regulation, but to rely on their staff to deliver safe food.
If you missed Doug’s presentation, it is now available for download below in three abridged segments:
What it takes to instill a food safety culture in your business
The case for instilling a food safety culture in your business
Sprouts – a special problem
Speaking to www.freshfruitportal.com following his presentation, Doug said:
“Having lived here [Australia] for over two years, I don’t see that public culture of food safety. There were 140 people sick in Canberra, because they were using raw eggs in mayo and yet there was no media coverage about it.”
“The thing I hear most in food safety, whether it’s produce or anything else is – ‘We’ve always done it this way and I’ve never made anyone sick’. What it probably means is that you don’t have the surveillance systems to pick it up.”
“This is a reality – there will be outbreaks, like with rockmelon and peanuts in Australia and you as an industry have a chance to come together and get proactive, or wait until the next outbreak.”
Doug’s blog, ‘Barfblog’ is a handy source of current food safety information. You can check it out at www.barfblog.com
SURVEY RESULTS: Does the Industry need a Fresh Produce Safety Centre?
A primary objective for FPS A&NZ was to scope out the feasibility for a dedicated body to identify research needs and provide appropriate food safety solutions for the Australian fresh produce Industry.
FPS A&NZ has made strong progress towards this objective and it was decided to survey the industry to determine the level of support for the establishment of a Fresh Produce Safety Centre. The survey was sent to the entire list of individuals who have registered to receive regular newsletters from FPS A&NZ, representing a large range of sectors in the fresh produce industry.
The survey contained questions aimed at gauging industry’s in-principle support for the establishment of a Fresh Produce Safety Centre; whether the University of Sydney was an appropriate ‘base’ for the Centre; what should be the overarching role of the Centre; and what were the priorities for food safety research.
From the responses, there was overwhelming support, in principle, for the establishment of a Fresh Produce Safety Centre (98%) and for it to be “housed” at the University of Sydney (95%).
The survey also revealed that the role of the proposed Centre was to call and manage research in food safety and importantly to provide industry wide education and information and news on fresh produce safety, while representing the industry on regulatory matters was the most unpopular role for the Centre. Results like this provide information that will assist in ensuring that the roles of other organisations will not be duplicated.
Research priorites needed to address the gaps in knowledge in food safety covers a wide variety of areas, but the top three topics as chosen by the respondents were Microbial contamination on-farm followed by topics Pathogens in the postharvest supply chain and Water – Postharvest.
The survey unequivocally indicated that there is widespread support for the establishment of a Fresh Produce Safety Centre for the whole fresh fruit and vegetable industries that will identify and conduct industry-driven research projects and provide valuable information, education and outreach on all aspects of fresh produce safety.
Download the full survey report here.
“Whats new in food safety for you?” presentation now available.
At the recent Freshcare Workshop 11-12 April 2013, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie (USyd) delivered a presentation on “Whats new in Food Safety for you?”
The presentation was based on information provided by Dr Bob Whitaker (PMA) and Ms Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli (CPS) and summarises some of the food safety research made available at the Center for Produce Safety 2012 Research Symposium.
Read Article →
Introducing the FPSANZ Technical Committee, 2013.
The FPS Technical Committee has been formed to collaborate with the Center for Produce Safety at UC Davis to review the research proposals submitted by the Australian research community.
The objective of the research is to provide the produce industry with practical, translatable research data that can be used at all levels throughout the supply chain and the FPS Technical Committee is well equipped to review the submissions.
The research proposals will address two major research priorities, which were identified at the industry Fresh Produce Safety Forum in November 2012: Compost, Soil Amendment Fertiliser Use, and Cultivation Practices; and Agricultural Water.
The 2013 FPS Technical Committee includes:
(Chair) Professor Les Copeland, Professor of Agriculture,Faculty of Agriculture and Environment University of Sydney (NSW)
Dr Andreas Klieber, Agriculture Policy Manager, Coles-Wesfarmers (Vic)
Dr David Miles, Senior Technical Officer, NSW Food Authority (NSW)
Mr Scott Ledger, Senior Horticulturist (Postharvest), Hort VC Group (Qld)
Mr Richard Bennett, Product Integrity Manager, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) (Vic)
Mrs Allison Clark, General Manager for Marketing, Houston’s Farm (Tas).
For more details on the Committee, please download their profiles.
Read Article →
Shoppers in the Asia-Pacific have a taste for safe food.
The Nielsen Global Survey of Fresh Foods released its report this month, revealing that food safety is one of the major influences for shoppers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fresh food contributes to more than 50% of food, grocery and personal care spending in most Asian countries.
“While modern trade fresh food shoppers are motivated by freshness and convenience, their view of these attributes are different than a traditional shopper,” said Peter Gale, managing director of Retailer Services, Nielsen Asia-Pacific and Middle East. “Freshness relates to cleanliness and food safety and the belief that they can trust the quality of the product. Convenience is about one-stop shopping rather than location.”
It is clear that food safety is at the front of the consumers mind when purchasing fresh produce, it is important to “Ensure high quality standards and effectively communicate the importance of food safety.” said Gale.
To read the full report click here.
Read Article →
Irradiation of Tomatoes and Capsicums Approved by FSANZ.
Tomatoes and capsicums have recently been added to the list of produce permitted to receive irradiation as a phytosanitary measure by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
This change comes following application by DAFF Queensland, in association with the New Zealand Fresh Produce Importers Association (NZFPIA), who requested the variation be made to Standard 1.5.3.
In the past, chemicals such as dimethoate and/or fenthion have primarily been used as the phytosanitary measures however these chemicals have been restricted for this purpose and other options need to be considered. Permitting irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums will allow the increase of domestic and international trade due to the rigorous requirements in place for quarantine purposes against fruit fly.
FSANZ has reviewed the application and the scientific evidence on the safety of irradiated tomatoes and capsicums as well as the effect irradiation has on their nutritional composition. The approval has been submitted to the Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) and awaits their decision.
For more information about this approval, go to the FSANZ website.
Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ, releases study on Residues on Fresh Produce
Last month, the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand, released the findings from the annual Food Residue Surveillance Program which targeted locally-produced and imported crops prone to exceeding the maximum residue limit (MRL) set for agricultural chemicals.
The study looked at chemical residues in fresh, unwashed produce and results indicated that most growers are using pesticides responsibly in the recommended manner with only a few exceptions. This year’s focus was on asparagus, eggplant, feijoas, hops, lemons, olive oil, persimmons, pumpkins, spring onion, sweet corn, tamarillos and walnuts.
Produce is sampled over the 12 month period so as to allow for seasonal variation in the food. The results are reported on after each quarter of testing. This differs from previous studies where sampling produce occurred twice over a short period of time.
Read the full article.
Find out more about the Food Residue Surveillance Program at the Ministry for Primary Industries | Manatu Ahu Matua, New Zealand.
Water Sanitation and Validation: Workshop Summary and Presentations.
In January 2013 Associate Professor Robyn McConchie (HoD Plant and Food Sciences, University of Sydney) and Mr Michael Worthington (CEO of PMA A-NZ) attended the Wash Water Sanitation and Validation Workshop held at the Center for Produce Safety CPS) in conjunction with the Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology.
The workshop provided an update on the latest research in wash water sanitation for all stakeholders, and drew attention on the participant’s experience to identify needs for research and training. Over 130 industry stakeholders from all parts of the supply chain attended, which indicates just how important this food safety topic is to the fresh produce industry.
Guest speakers included Bob Brackett, IIFSH, Devon Zagory, Zagory and Associates, Karan Khurana, Pulse Instruments and Drew McDonald, Danaco Solutions.
Associate Professor Robyn McConchie (HoD Plant and Food Sciences, University of Sydney) has provided us with the key take home messages from the presentations.
Download Robyn’s key messages here.
Devon Zagary’s presentation addressed the quality of wash water, the role and choice of disinfectants, the variables to monitor, and definition of critical control point, validation and verification.
Download Devon’s presentation here.
Karan Khurana described some of the wash water systems that are available, ways in which to monitor and verify the system and variables that impact the system.
Download Karan’s presentation here.
Drew McDonald reminded the audience of the critical opportunities and challenges they have encountered with wash water systems, and the critical questions the industry needs to address.
Download Drew’s presentation here.