New edition introduces several additions designed to improve usability and strengthen existing systems
Freshcare has launched the latest edition of its Food Safety & Quality Standard, FSQ5, providing a consistent framework for managing fresh produce food safety and quality requirements from farm through the fresh produce supply chain.
Developed in consultation with industry, FSQ5 supports the evolving needs of growers and businesses across Australia’s fresh produce sector.
The new edition introduces several additions designed to improve usability and strengthen existing systems. Key updates include a clearer structure, increased emphasis on risk-based decision making, a stronger focus on food safety culture, and the formal inclusion of biosecurity considerations.
The drive to review and further develop Freshcare’s food safety standards came from the goal to ensure sure that they continue to meet the needs of participating businesses as well as the requirements of industry, retailers, customers and regulators.
Freshcare CEO Jane Siebum said: “We’re continually looking at ways to add value to our participating businesses and members. This new approach aims to help businesses navigate changing market expectations while maintaining practical and achievable requirements”.
Freshcare’s work on the Regulatory Technology (RegTech) project in partnership with Hort Innovation provided a clear direction that industry wanted to make compliance more accessible, reduce duplication, and helped the organisation set the standard up well for the future. FSQ5 was developed with industry participation, with an extensive engagement process involving participating businesses, auditors, trainers, regulators, certification bodies, retailers and industry organisations. Feedback collected during the process directly shaped efforts to reduce duplication and made the standard clearer and more accessible.
“The feedback from industry based on a preview of FSQ5 has been really positive – particularly around the new structure, clearer language and strong supporting resources,” said Siebum.
“We want FSQ5 to make compliance clearer and more straightforward for participating businesses, give industry greater confidence that the Standard contributes to improving food safety outcomes, and structure the standards so it can accommodate new and changing requirements over time.”
Siebum noted that the next step is a review of Freshcare’s environmental and sustainability standards, which has just commenced.
“We’re taking what we’ve learned through the FSQ5 development process to make sure these standards are just as robust, up-to-date and structured to respond to emerging needs,” she said.
For existing participants, their current certificate will remain valid until expiry. A transition period is in place for previous certificate holders but new participants entering certification will begin under the new standard.
