Update: Food Safety Changes for Horticulture Producers June 2025
Update: Food Safety Changes for Horticulture Producers
QUEENSLAND
Implementation of the new Food Safety Standards for berries, melons and leafy vegetables (originally scheduled to take effect on 12 February 2025) has been delayed to allow more time for consultation between government and industry.
As a result, Queensland producers and processors of these commodities are not required to apply for accreditation at this time. When regulation is in place, Safe Food will notify industry well in advance of accreditation being required. Industry members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new standards in the meantime.
Growers of affected commodities are advised to subscribe for updates to Safe Food Queensland’s Horticulture E-Bulletin
NSW SOUTH WALES
The NSW Food Authority is redrafting the NSW Food Regulation in response to feedback from industry about how the new national standards for berry, leafy vegetable and melon businesses will be implemented in NSW.
It follows public consultation in December 2024 on the draft Food Regulation 2025, which proposed licensing requirements for berry, leafy vegetable and melon growers and processors under the NSW Plant Products Food Safety Scheme.
The new regulation under the national standards for berries, leafy vegetables and melons will commence on 12 February 2026 in NSW with several changes made from the original proposal. The Food Authority is progressing these changes with a view to having the Food Regulation 2025 finalised on or before 1 September 2025. Until it is finalised and officially made, no action is required from berry, leafy vegetable and melons businesses and no licensing requirements, on-farm inspections or fees will be imposed on producers or processors in the berry, leafy vegetable or melon industries.
VICTORIA
The standards came into effect in Victoria on 12 February 2025 and AgVic will be conducting compliance enforcement from 1 July 2025.
GlobalG.A.P, Freshcare, Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and BRCGS are the recognised GFSI benchmarked schemes and if you are a member of Freshcare, your membership will allow you the most streamlined compliance process.
Affected growers who have not completed their registration with Agriculture Victoria and the related compliance activities are advised to do so immediately with more information available in the Standards Factsheet for Victoria.
There are also a suite of resources available specifically for Berry Growers in the Resource Library – just search ‘PPP’
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
PIRSA has received feedback from industry bodies on a proposed amendment of regulations to adopt the new standards. Please read the Discussion Paper for Horticulture Food Safety Regulations for more information.
PIRSA are progressing the variation of regulations. Further updates will be provided in due course.
TASMANIA
General obligations exist for all Tasmanian food producers under the Food Act 2003.
The Tasmanian Government is presently developing a new legislative and administrative model for primary industry food safety in Tasmania. Whilst Tasmania’s present regulatory model has served it well, change is necessary to ensure continuing best practice. Further updates will be provided in due course.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
There is currently no public information from ACT Health or relevant authorities yet on their specific timeline, implementation guidelines, or processes for:
- Business registration or notification requirements,
- Recognition of food safety schemes (e.g., Freshcare),
- Inspections or audits under these new standards.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The new standards are automatically adopted in the WA Food Act 2008 and are being enforced Australia-wide from 12 February 2025.
Leafy vegetables and melon growers and processors must now legally register as a food business with their local government, and berry primary producers and processors must notify as a food business with the local government, since the standards commenced on 12 February 2025.
Find out more
