used to prove that all strawberries produced are safe to eat, but can provide an indication that the production system is working to address food hygiene matters. The test results, in some degree, complement the overall survey finding; that food hygiene is generally well managed by Victorian strawberry growers. The survey did highlight some opportunities for guidance, improvement and/or further investigation: Category No Opportunity Potential Food Safety Benefit Food Safety 1. Improving the food safety knowledge of Very beneficial: Knowledge of growers with particular focus on those The 56% of growers with Growers without quality assurance/food safety quality assurance/food safety systems. systems in-place have a better Suggested approach: understanding of the food The dissemination of basic food safety safety risks they need to awareness guidance material is likely to manage. Improving the food assist growers understand and manage any safety knowledge of growers is potential food safety risks, including the risk valuable and a particular focus of human-virus contamination. on those without quality The most effective communication channels assurance/ food safety for dissemination are via: systems will assist them similarly. food safety auditors, and trusted information sources such as the Victorian Strawberry Growers Association. To facilitate the effectiveness of any communication, it is recommended that food safety auditors actively working in the strawberry industry are engaged to ascertain the level of knowledge regarding microbiological contamination linked to practices and emerging food safety risks such as norovirus. Farm 2. Feral animals on crops: Low benefit: environment Investigate whether the occasional This may not be a concern, food safety presence on crops of feral animals such as given that blemished and risks ducks, birds, rabbits, foxes and mice; poses visibly dirty fruit are discarded a food safety concern. by staff during the picking and packing processes. However, it is important to note that microorganisms can be present without being visible. Food Safety 3a. Only use potable water for overhead spray Low benefit: Practices irrigation: Overhead spray irrigation of Recommending growers only use potable crops has almost ceased due water (i.e. water safe for drinking) when to high water costs. applying overhead spray irrigation to crops, such as at times of extreme heat. 3b. Seek an alternative method to the use of Very beneficial (for a very cloth towels for drying strawberries: small number of farms): For those growers using cloth towels to dry Packing shed staff at a small
used to prove that all strawberries produced are safe to eat, but can provide an indication that the production system is working to address food hygiene matters. The test results, in some degree, complement the overall survey finding; that food hygiene is generally well managed by Victorian strawberry growers. The survey did highlight some opportunities for guidance, improvement and/or further investigation: Category No Opportunity Potential Food Safety Benefit Food Safety Knowledge of Growers 1. Improving the food safety knowledge of growers with particular focus on those without quality assurance/food safety systems. Suggested approach: The dissemination of basic food safety awareness guidance material is likely to assist growers understand and manage any potential food safety risks, including the risk of human-virus contamination. The most effective communication channels for dissemination are via: food safety auditors, and trusted information sources such as the Victorian Strawberry Growers Association. To facilitate the effectiveness of any communication, it is recommended that food safety auditors actively working in the strawberry industry are engaged to ascertain the level of knowledge regarding microbiological contamination linked to practices and emerging food safety risks such as norovirus. Very beneficial: The 56% of growers with quality assurance/food safety systems in-place have a better understanding of the food safety risks they need to manage. Improving the food safety knowledge of growers is valuable and a particular focus on those without quality assurance/ food safety systems will assist them similarly. Farm environment food safety risks 2. Feral animals on crops: Investigate whether the occasional presence on crops of feral animals such as ducks, birds, rabbits, foxes and mice; poses a food safety concern. Low benefit: This may not be a concern, given that blemished and visibly dirty fruit are discarded by staff during the picking and packing processes. However, it is important to note that microorganisms can be present without being visible. Food Safety Practices 3a. Only use potable water for overhead spray irrigation: Recommending growers only use potable water (i.e. water safe for drinking) when applying overhead spray irrigation to crops, such as at times of extreme heat. Low benefit: Overhead spray irrigation of crops has almost ceased due to high water costs. 3b. Seek an alternative method to the use of cloth towels for drying strawberries: For those growers using cloth towels to dry Very beneficial (for a very small number of farms): Packing shed staff at a small
Strawberry%20report.docx