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Horticulture standards - berries, leafy vegetables and melons

 
The following information is designed for local government enforcement agencies. Industry should refer to Berries, leafy vegetables and melons standards. 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) completed an extensive review under Proposal P1052 (external site) of food safety measures for the primary production and processing of:

  1. berries 
  2. leafy vegetables and 
  3. melons 
This proposal considered strengthening food safety management on-farm and during initial processing by introducing nationally-consistent standards for the three sectors to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of fresh horticultural produce.
 
The FSANZ Board approved the introduction of new food safety standards for the three sectors on 22 June 2022. 
 
Three new horticulture standards were gazetted on the 12 August 2022 (external site) which include:
  1. Standard 4.2.7 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Berries (external site)
  2. Standard 4.2.8 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Leafy Vegetables (external site)
  3. Standard 4.2.9 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Melons (external site)
The Standards have been added to Chapter 4 of the Food Standards Code (external site).
 
There is now a 30-month transition period for implementation from the gazettal date, with implementation required by the February 2025.

Under the Food Act 2008, the enforcement of the new standards is the responsibility of Local Government.

Consultation overview
More information including the background, consultation outcomes, the approval report, decision regulation impact statement and cost benefit analysis is available on the FSANZ website (external site).
Role of local government

Under the Food Act 2008, the enforcement of the new standards is the responsibility of Local Government following a 30-month period from gazettal (February 2025) to enable industry to transition to the new requirements. This includes:

  • registration of leafy vegetable and melon growers
  • notification of berry growers
  • review of Food Safety Management Statements for leafy vegetables and melons
  • assessment for food standards compliance

Local governments in partnership with the Department of Health will have an important role in engaging with industry and raising awareness of the new Standards.

Support provided by the Department of Health
The Department of Health is working closely with WA peak industry bodies, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, food safety scheme owners and local governments to coordinate the statewide implementation of the Standards. 

The Department of Health is in the process of organising training to upskill the local government environmental health workforce in the assessment of food safety risks associated with the primary production and processing of berries, leafy vegetables, and melons.

Communication resources

A national working group which consists of industry stakeholders and national regulators is currently developing the following resources that will support local government and industry in the implementation of the new standards:  

  • Communication Guide which will provide enforcement agencies with an overview of how to effectively engage with different horticulture growers across WA
  • templates:
    • registration form 
    • Food Safety Management Statement
  • factsheet for each industry
  • Implementation / Compliance Plan for enforcement agencies and industry to ensure consistent implementation of the Standards across industry 
Once available all industry resources will be available on the Berries, leafy vegetables and melons – for industry webpage.  

Webinar

A webinar was hosted on Tuesday 15 November 2022 providing an overview of the food safety measures in the primary production and processing standards for berries, leafy vegetables and melons and its implementation plan. Watch the webinar here (external site). 

 
Overview of the Standards
For an overview of the standards refer to the industry information Berries, leafy vegetables and melons. 
Last reviewed: 15-08-2022
Produced by

Environmental Health Directorate

Queries about the Standards can be emailed to foodsafety@health.wa.gov.au
wa.gov.au