Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions to inform its proposal regarding primary production and processing (PPP) requirements for high-risk horticultural products.
The scope of this proposal includes primary production and primary processing activities in three sectors:
- leafy vegetables
- melons
- berries
FSANZ is reassessing the need for a PPP standard to manage food safety in these sectors, including requirements for traceability.
Background
The vast majority of horticultural produce in Australia is safe and healthy. However outbreaks linked to particular produce sectors continue to occur. The ongoing foodborne illness issues and lack of consistent and uniform regulatory measures for horticultural products suggest the current environment, which relies on nonregulatory measures, is not adequate to protect public health and safety and that regulatory measures are required.
In June 2018 The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) noted the recent increase of foodborne illness outbreaks in Australia and agreed that there is a need to reassess the food safety risk management of five high-risk horticulture sectors: ready to eat, minimally processed fruits and vegetables, fresh leafy green vegetables, melons, berries, and sprouts.
Forum Ministers requested that FSANZ identify appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory measures for Australia to manage food safety risks in these sectors.
In response, FSANZ has raised a proposal, Primary Production and Processing Requirements for High-risk Horticulture (P1052) to consider the development of a PPP standard for high-risk horticulture as part of a broader review of chapter 3 and 4 of the Food Standards Code.
First call for submissions now open
FSANZ is currently seeking comment from the community, growers, industry and other interested parties on a first call for submissions.
This call for submissions will seek information on the current environment and potential options for regulatory and non-regulatory measures to manage high risk horticulture.
The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) Wednesday 18 March 2020.
You can lodge a submission here.