Transcript Stepping up to the plate: Fresh produce safety centre hosted by the University of Sydney Associate Professor Robyn McConchie.

Stepping up to the Plate:
The NEW Fresh Produce Safety Centre
hosted by the University of Sydney
Robyn McConchie
Faculty of Agriculture and Environment
University of Sydney
Fenugreek Sprouts in Europe 2011
Spanish fruit and
vegetable exporters
estimate they
lost 200m euros per
week
May 2011, Germany had a massive epidemic of
bloody diarrhoea and the hemolytic–uremic syndrome
caused by Shiga-toxin–producing Escherichia coli
O104:H4
Over 3 months - 4000 illnesses, 800 cases hemolytic–
uremic syndrome, 65 deaths
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Listeria in Melons in the USA 2011
› In 2011, cantaloupes were
contaminated with the bacterium
Listeria monocytogenes
› Caused one of the deadliest
foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S.
history
› 147 people sick in 28 states and
killed 33
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Consumers expect food to be safe
• Produce industry – “on
the side of the angels”
• Healthy, nutritious – no
limit
• The produce industry
want to do “right” thing:
• Yet… product recalls and
outbreaks
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QA Systems in Fresh Produce
Food
Business
QA
Systems
• Regulators protect public health
• Food businesses must ensure no hazard is
introduced e.g. supermarkets, food services,
restaurants
• Pressure on all members of the supply chain
• Fresh produce growers to join food safety standards
e.g. Coles and Woolworths QA, SaladG.A.P.,
Freshcare etc
• Training, Best Practice Documented, Audited
regularly
Growers • Minimises risk and access to buyers
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What are the Risks with Fresh Produce?
› Microbial – raw fruit and
vegetables, unpasteurised juices,
fresh cuts e.g. Salmonella,
Campylobacter, Listeria, Shigatoxin–producing E. coli
› Pesticide contamination
› Allergens e.g. peanuts, gluten,
plant defence compounds
› Mycotoxins e.g. aflatoxins,
fumonisin, alternariol, patulin,
ochratoxin
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BUT Can we rest on our reputation?
Australia has a clean, green image for food production
› Australia - safest food
supplies in the world…. but
5.4 million cases of foodborne illness a year costing
est. $1.2 billion (DAFF 2013)
› Gap between food production
and consumption
› Consumers have to rely on
the food regulation system for
the provision of safe food
› They do a good job… but
need continuous updating of
stakeholders.
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Past Record in Australia
• An unofficial listing of recalls and
reported illnesses over 10 years in
horticultural produce (n=45)
• Microbial contamination the most
prevalent category
• Salmonella the most prevalent
individual
• Residues not as significant as
expected
• Nuts also prominent, particularly
almonds
Source: Richard Bennett 2014 PMA Technical
Manager
Microbial contamination 2012
› Recall of almonds due to
Salmonella contamination
› Wet season almonds lay on the
ground
› Vacuum steam pasturisation and
processing minimises risk
Action to Minimise the Risks
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Fresh Produce Safety Centre
FPSC founding supporters:
This project has been funded by HAL using voluntary
contributions from industry and matched funds from the
Australian Government.
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Fresh Produce Safety Centre
Goals of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre
› Call for and oversee food safety research projects
that are highly relevant to industry
› Provide food safety information, news, education
and outreach to the industry
› Engage with regulatory and other organisations for
effective and efficient food safety management
leading to enhanced food safety outcomes.
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Fresh Produce Safety Centre
Engaging with industry, regulatory & research bodies on fresh produce safety
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Call for Research
› Single call for research
per year.
› Research will be
industry-supported and
industry-focused.
› Technical Committee
will advise on research
priorities and evaluate
research proposals.
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What are the gaps in research?
Irrigation water
Composting
Wildlife
Washwater sanitation
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What are the gaps in research?
Hygiene in the Packhouse
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Invitation to Get Involved
1st Conference on
11th August 2014
› Launched by Vice-Chancellor University of
Sydney, Dr Michael Spence
› Timothy York from US foodservice company,
Markon,
› Dr Bob Whitaker from Center for Produce
Safety
› 17 other speakers on fresh produce safety
throughout Australia and New Zealand.
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Invitation to Get Involved
Subscribe to the e-Newsletter:
Attend an FPSC event:
› Email
[email protected]
› Conference 11 August in Sydney
› Visit http://freshproducesafetyanz.com/category/events/
Become a supporter of FPSC:
› Pledge your support: bronze to platinum
› Contact:
Emma Walters Interim Executive Director
Fresh Produce Safety Centre, hosted by the University of Sydney
Email: [email protected]
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Acknowledgements
› Michael Worthington
CEO PMA A-NZ
› Emma Walters
Executive Director FPSC
› Stephen Fujiwara
Administrative Assistance FPSC
› Erin Hart
Communications CEO PMA A-NZ
› Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli
Executive Director CPS USA
› Bob Whitaker
Fresh Produce Safety Technical Manager
PMA USA
› Erika Watson
Past Administrative Assistant
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Thank you
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