Are you accredited with a food safety scheme?

Are you accredited with a food safety scheme?

7 January 2019

From January 1, 2019, citrus growers need to be accredited to a recognised food safety scheme, such as Freshcare, if they wish to supply the major retail chains.
The requirement for direct suppliers (e.g. pack houses) is to be HARPS approved from January 1, 2019.
To be HARPS approved, these direct suppliers require growers to be approved to one of three base schemes: Freshcare (training conducted by Citrus Australia), GlobalGap or SQF.
Accredited Freshcare trainers Nicole Zerveas and Mara Milner, of Citrus Australia, have conducted training with growers and packers around Australia throughout the year.
To be approved under one of the schemes, growers need to undergo a Food Safety & Quality audit during their harvest period.
Ms Milner said any growers who have not received accreditation under one of the three base schemes, should:
1. Contact their customer/ pack house to confirm their food safety requirements
2. Attend Freshcare training (half-day course) through Citrus Australia
3. Book their audit
4. Notify their customer of their future audit date
5. Complete the audit
6. Forward audit certificate of compliance to customer/ pack house
Ms Milner said food safety and quality is very high on domestic and international market agendas.
“Food safety events have a negative impact on consumer confidence. Freshcare allows grower/packers to have confidence in how they manage their food safety risks on their farm, which has a flow on effect to retailers and consumers,” she said.
Freshcare FSQ4 training by Citrus Australia is scheduled for:
10 January in Waikerie
23 January in Hanwood
30 January in Mildura
Enquiries and bookings can be made to Nicole Zerveas by email nicole.zerveas@citrusaustralia.com.au or phone 0499 044 111 or Mara Milner by email mara.milner@citrusaustralia.com.au or phone 0499 994 592.
Freshcare website: www.freshcare.com.au HARPS website: www.harpsonline.com.au