FSANZ proposes changes for berries, leafy veggies and melons

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has announced that it will be conducting a second round of public consultation on its review of the safe management of the berry, leafy vegetable and melon sectors, and is calling for comments regarding its proposed changes to the methods of dealing with these products.

The organisation is proposing the amendment of the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code such that there is a primary production and processing standard for these three sectors. It also wants, through working with industry, to develop a series of non-regulatory measures that can assist businesses to understand and comply with these new standards.

These proposed food safety standards were developed to bring the sectors into line with others in the industry, thus providing a level playing field while also boosting consumer confidence.

FSANZ has put out a call for submissions and comments from interested parties on these proposed changes and developments, which would see an estimated $138 million in net benefits over 10 years if approved.

The submissions must be submitted by 6 pm (Canberra time) 9 February 2022. For more information about the process, visit this link.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/M.studio