FOOD SAFETY DURING FLOODING EVENTS

On 27 January 2023, Auckland experienced severe flash flooding and unprecedented rain –one month’s worth of the city’s rainfall in one day.

The upper North Island has continued to be in the firing line of climatic extremes with Cyclone Gabrielle causing further downpours and flooding, gale force winds and the declaration of a National State of Emergency. While personal safety is paramount, understanding and managing the food safety risks associated with floodaffected fresh produce is also critical.

If your property has been affected by flood water, it is important to undertake a risk assessment taking into consideration things such as:

• whether the edible portion of the crop has been in contact with flood water or flood water ‘splash’

• how any flood-affected crop can be identified

• how you plan to manage those food safety risks.

Flood waters may have:

• Microbial contamination caused by sewerage or septic tanks, animal waste, dead animals and decaying vegetative waste.

• Chemical contamination from petroleum products, mechanical equipment, historic dumpsites, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals. Potential sources of chemical contamination will vary greatly depending on the severity of the flood and the proximity to other operations.

• Physical contamination with debris.

Undertaking a risk assessment: New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) have recently updated their guidance for harvesting produce affected by flood waters. The guidance outlines factors to consider when determining whether flood-affected produce is safe to harvest.

Download the guidance here: https://www.hortnz.co.nz/flood-support/foodsafety-for-flood-affected-produce/

It is critical we maintain focus on managing food safety after flooding, as access to safe and nutritious food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health.