Aus-QUAL food safety audit update

Lab testing — food safety

Which tests should I conduct? Choosing appropriate lab testing depends upon which Quality Assurance Standard or customer specifications you are wanting to meet. Testing for chemical residues and heavy metals enables verification that any detections are below Maximum Residue Limits (MRL’s) which are defined in the Food Standards Code. Microbial testing verifies that any pathogens detected are below acceptable limits for safe consumption. The most commonly required tests for fresh food items to meet the minimum testing requirements for supply to major retailers are: • AT3 — Full Residue Analysis; • MB3 — E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes; and • AM4 — Lead.

Please note: Additional testing may be required for: • Leafy vegetables; • Root and tuber crops; • High risk items (e.g. berries, salads, herbs, mushrooms etc.); • Overseas imports/export markets; • Crops which have had post-harvest chemicals applied. Water testing for E.coli and other pathogens is also being frequently requested for compliance.

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Chris Hall can assist you with QA systems designed to meet the compliance requirements of recognised Quality Standards and for meeting specifications for supply to major retailers. Contact TQAS for information about food safety, lab testing, record keeping, scope upgrades and for system reviews/pre-audit checks.

Total Quality Assurance Systems Pty Ltd

Phone (08) 9456 2455 or email admin@tqas.com.au or

AUS-QUAL would like to thank industry for their continued commitment to food safety in this COVID-19 environment.

We are pleased that there has been minimal disruption to scheduling of audits within the horticulture sector and most of those delays have been in relation to interstate travel restrictions. The decision by all standard owners to allow for a review of certification and extension of certificates has been extremely helpful to those who have been directly impacted by COVID-19. AUS-QUAL would like to ask sites to continue to schedule audits where practicable and only request for a deferral to audit if you have experienced illness, qualify as a high-risk candidate or where travel restrictions are still in place (hot spots). Please continue to plan your audit with the auditor proactively. Some things to take into consideration include the ability to: • Meet social distancing practices still in force • Review documentation in isolation or outside in an open space rather than in a small office or shed • Plan the farm site tour in separate vehicles and communicate over hands-free mobile phone • Increase personal hygiene best practice for all staff and visitors while on site. Please ensure during the planning of the audit that the following points are also disclosed with the auditor: • Within the last 14 days, have any personnel or the auditor had close contact with any person suspected (Presumptive) or confirmed case of

COVID-19? • Within the last 14 days, have any personnel or the auditor had close contact with someone experiencing fever, flu like symptoms or shortness of breath who has returned to Australia from any international travel? • Within the last 14 days, have any personnel or the auditor returned to Australia from any international travel (personal or business)?

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Please refer to the AUS-QUAL Positional Statement on COVID-19 on our website for more information: www.ausqual.com.au. Once again we thank everyone for their cooperation and commitment to food safety and hygiene and ask that everyone remain vigilant during these extraordinary times.

3 CONTINUE to schedule audits and only request for a deferral if you have experienced illness, qualify as a high-risk candidate or where travel restrictions are still in place.