26 October 2017

Major changes to food safety accreditation standards for retailers

26-October-2017

Australian retailers have changed their food safety requirements – this will affect the ability of growers and pack houses to supply.

For pack houses

As a packer, you are considered to be a direct supplier.
From 1 January 2018, all packing houses are required to be certified against one of the following schemes:
- Freshcare
- SQF
- A.P.
- BRC
Pack houses will also be required to be certified against the HARPS ‘bolt-on’.

For growers

Growers are considered indirect suppliers.
From 1 January 2019, any grower that grows fruit for sale in the major retail chains must be certified against one of the following schemes:
- Freshcare
- SQF
- A.P.
Growers that do not directly supply the major retail chains will not be required to be certified against the HARPS ‘bolt-on’.

Citrus Australia can help – act now!

Time is running out for growers and packers. While January 2019 seems like a long time away, all training and auditing must be finalised by then. This leaves only next season – and trainers and auditors are in high demand.

Citrus Australia recommends Freshcare as the most logical way forward for growers. Citrus Australia will provide training in the new year for Freshcare and we will be coordinating Freshcare training on a regional basis from January 2018. We urge everyone to take this seriously as the retailers will be showing no flexibility around the new requirements or the deadlines.

For more information or to express interest in training please contact:

David Daniels: 0402 270 554, david.daniels@citrusaustralia.com.au

Mara Milner: 0499 994 592, mara.milner@citrusaustralia.com.au

Nicole Zerveas: 0499 044 111 or nicole.zerveas@citrusaustralia.com.au