Tag: HAL
GS1 Workshop Outcomes, November 2013
Thirty-five delegates representing retailers, grower-packers, wholesalers and service providers attended the recent PMA A-NZ/GS1 DataBar Workshop in Sydney on the 25th November 2013.
Titled “Moving forward with Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) and GS1 DataBarâ€, the purpose of the Workshop was to develop a roadmap for the implementation of a more effective product identification and traceability system for fresh produce sold as loose or in bulk (i.e. unpackaged).
Read Article →Tag: HAL
Report summarising the outcomes of 2012/13 of the FPS A&NZ
The FPS A&NZ have made available the final report summarising the outcomes from the project “A New Collaborative Paradigm for Fresh Produce Safety”. This project was funding by the University of Sydney and the Produce Marketing Association Australia and New Zealand (PMA A-NZ) with matched funding from the Australian Government, accessed through Horticulture Australia Limited.
You can download the report here and read about the outcomes of the many activities conducted in the year.
Tag: HAL
Were you spotted at the Food Safety Hub at PMA Fresh Connections, 2013?
Fresh Produce Safety Australia and New Zealand (FPS A&NZ) were proud to join several key organisations to host the first-ever Food Safety Hub, at PMA Fresh Connections Conference and Trade Show in Sydney last week. The Food Safety Hub was a one-stop-shop providing information for delegates wanting to know more about food safety for fresh produce. Were you spotted at the Food Safety Hub?
With thanks to PMA Fresh Connections for providing us with these images.
FPS A&NZ wishes to thank the following key organisations for their participation in the Food Safety Hub:
AUSQUAL Pty Ltd. – A certification body accredited by JAS-ANZ, providing quality management and food safety (HACCP) management systems.
Freshcare – Australia’s on farm assurance program offering training, implementation, certification and support programs.
GS1 Australia – Administers the global GS1 System of supply chain standards in Australia across 22 industry sectors, including the launch of the new GS1 GoScan iPhone App providing consumers with authorised and trusted food product information, and the new GS1DataBar to improve management of fresh foods.
BSI incorporating NCSI – Offering businesses certification, risk management, business improvement and assurance.
SAI Global – Providing information services and solutions for managing risk, achieving compliance and driving business improvement.
SGS Australia – A global company, provide industry leading inspection, verification, testing and certification services.
TQA Australia – Key management consultants to agribusiness in Australia, providing advice in a range of disciplines including food safety and quality assurance, environmental assurance, occupational health and safety, strategic planning and professional development.
Tag: HAL
Visit the FOOD SAFETY HUB at PMA Fresh Connections
Don’t miss the FOOD SAFETY HUB at PMA Fresh Connections this year!
PMA Fresh Connections Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, in Sydney’s Darling Harbour from 11-13th June 2013.
The time is fast approaching, the trade show opens on the 12th June 2013 and the Food Safety Hub is bound to be buzzing.
Food safety and traceability are very important and highly relevant to all businesses in the fresh produce supply chain. Be sure to visit the Food Safety Hub to get all you need to know or contact the organisations on the booth to arrange a meeting at the Trade Show.
FPS A&NZ
AUSQUAL Pty Ltd.
BSI Incorporating NCSI
Freshcare
GS1 Australia
SAI Global
SGS Australia
TQA Australia
Tag: HAL
Food Safety Hub at PMA Fresh Connections, 2013
Fresh Produce Safety Australia and New Zealand (FPS A&NZ) are proud to be hosting the first Food Safety Hub along with several key organisations, at PMA Fresh Connections Conference and Trade Show in Sydney this year. The Food Safety Hub will be one-stop-shop providing information for delegates wanting to know more about food safety for fresh produce.
“The Food Safety Hub aims to raise awareness of food safety and traceability among all stakeholders of the Australian and New Zealand fresh produce industry.” said Michael Worthington, CEO PMA A-NZ.
He went on to say ” This collaborative effort demonstrates a commitment to food safety and highlights how important food safety and traceability are for all businesses in the fresh produce supply chain”.
FPS A&NZ are excited to announce that along with FPS A&NZ representatives, several key organisations will be contributing to the success of the Food Safety Hub including:
AUSQUAL Pty Ltd. – A certification body accredited by JAS-ANZ, providing quality management and food safety (HACCP) management systems.
Freshcare – Australia’s on farm assurance program offering training, implementation, certification and support programs.
GS1 Australia – Administers the global GS1 System of supply chain standards in Australia across 22 industry sectors, including the launch of the new GS1 GoScan iPhone App providing consumers with authorised and trusted food product information, and the new GS1DataBar to improve management of fresh foods.
NCS International – Offering businesses certification, risk management, business improvement and assurance.
SAI Global – Providing information services and solutions for managing risk, achieving compliance and driving business improvement.
SGS Australia – A global company, provide industry leading inspection, verification, testing and certification services.
TQA Australia – Key management consultants to agribusiness in Australia, providing advice in a range of disciplines including food safety and quality assurance, environmental assurance, occupational health and safety, strategic planning and professional development.
FPS A&NZ will provide you with:
access to research in fresh produce safety,
allow you to identify food safety research priorities and
updates on the aims of the initiative of a collaborative paradigm to fresh produce safety.
“Fresh produce safety and traceability applies to all aspects of the supply chain in the fruit and vegetable industry, including growers, packers, processors, wholesalers, fresh produce retailers and distributors, ” said Robyn McConchie, University of Sydney, “all of which have a responsibility to supply consumers with food that is healthy and safe.”
Read Article →Tag: HAL
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 →Tag: HAL
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.