Seed Sprout Processor
If you are processing seed sprouts in Queensland for supply or sale, then you require an accreditation with Safe Food Production Queensland (Safe Food). Seed sprouts are germinated seeds of brassicas, bulb, grass, herbs and spices, nuts, legumes and pulses, oilseeds, root vegetables and others intended for human consumption. Examples include alfalfa sprouts and mung beans sprouts.
‘Processing’ refers to any of the following activities:
- harvesting, washing, drying, or packaging of seed sprouts;
- decontamination of seed or seed sprouts;
- soaking, germination or growth of seed for supply or sale.
These activities are classified as Processing under the Horticulture Scheme of the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014.
The retail sale of horticulture products does not require an accreditation with Safe Food.
Before you apply
If you intend to process seed sprout products, you must do so in an approved facility that meets the requirements of the:
- Food Standards Code (Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts) Standard 4.2.6
AND - Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.3 (Food Premises and Equipment)
If your food premise complies with these requirements and you wish to proceed with an application for accreditation, please see below for what you need to submit.
What should I submit with my application?
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Application form
Complete the Application form and select Processing (horticulture scheme) as your activity on page 2.
Note: If you want to complete this form on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Payment of fees
Fees and payment details can be viewed within the Application form.
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Food Safety Program
You must submit a Food Safety Program (FSP) with your application. A FSP documents the processes and procedures you will follow to minimise or eliminate food safety risks and ensure the food you produce is safe. This is a detailed document that covers all aspects of your business, from inputs, product descriptions and temperatures, right through to cleaning, maintenance and pest control. It involves a risk assessment to identify where any possible issues may arise, how to recognise these issues, what the acceptable limits are around each step, and what to do to rectify a food safety issue, should it occur.
A FSP can be developed in partnership with a food safety consultant or your industry association. However, you are not obliged to use these.
A template for what to include in your Food Safety Program is available.
Note: If you want to complete this template on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Approval from local council
You must provide written confirmation from your local council that you are permitted to undertake your proposed activities at the site from which you intend to operate.
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Photos & floor plan
Please submit photos and a floor plan of your processing facility that show:
- cool rooms/ refrigerators/ seed storage areas (indicated on floor plan & in photos)
- hand washing facilities, including chemicals used (floor plan & photos)
- drains (floor plan & photos)
- all equipment used (e.g. washing/decontamination equipment; germination equipment; packing areas; chemical dosing equipment, if applicable) (photos only)
- packaging / example label (photos only)
- entry and exit points (floor plan only)
Submit your completed application to [email protected] or PO Box 221, Greenslopes, Brisbane, QLD 4120.
When to apply
Under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000, it is unlawful to engage in certain activities relating to primary production or processing of food until you have been granted an accreditation by Safe Food. As such, you should allow adequate time for your application to be reviewed by Safe Food before you begin operating.
Your application will aim to be assessed within 14 days, although applications submitted in their entirety (with all the items outlined above) are likely to be processed faster.
Upon submission of your application, a member of our Central Assessment Team will contact you for payment (if paying by credit card). Once payment has been received, your application will be assessed, and we will contact you if we require any further information.
You will be notified in writing about the outcome of your application (approved or refused).
Temporary Accreditations
As a seed sprout processor, you will be undertaking activities deemed to be high risk under the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014. As such, if your application is approved, you will be issued a temporary accreditation to start with.
A temporary accreditation is issued for a period of up to two months, prior to being considered for an open accreditation.
Under a temporary accreditation, you must have your food production system approved by Safe Food before you can begin supplying foods that pose a higher risk to consumers.
If you are issued a temporary accreditation, you will be required to submit additional technical information to demonstrate that your nominated food safety controls are effective in maintaining compliance with the requirements of the Horticulture Scheme. This required information is in addition to the application process and will incur additional costs. You will be notified in writing if you are issued a temporary accreditation and what you need to supply.
For more information about temporary accreditation requirements, please contact us.
Fees
Fees are based on the activities you are carrying out and are outlined in the Application form.
New applications will incur a one-time application fee that is non-refundable.
Our accreditation period runs from 1st January – 31st December.* You will therefore need to renew your accreditation on an annual basis.
For more information, please refer to our fees & charges.
*Our fees are not pro-rata.