Demonstrate that your produce is safe and sustainably grown and gain access to new local and global markets.
The Freshcare food safety program offers protection for the Australian fresh produce and wine industry, ensuring that current and future industry global and Australian standards for safety and sustainability are met. Since its launch in July 2000, it has been helping growers and packers assure customers their produce is not only safe for consumption but is also cultivated sustainably.
The scheme provides a suite of assurance standards:
Fresh produce (on-farm) standards
Food Safety & Quality – On-Farm
This standard incorporates good agricultural practice (GAP), best management criteria and specific food safety requirements (HACCP) for producing and packing fresh produce on-farm.
It helps growers and grower-packers comply with the essential on-farm good agricultural practices and post-harvest food safety criteria that are required to be met and maintained to assure customers of the quality and safety of the fresh produce produced.
Environmental (ENV3)
This standard helps Australian producers demonstrate real environmental outcomes on-farm and gives customers assurance that produce has been grown and packed with care for the environment.
The Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Standard Version 4.2 (FSQ4.2) is the current standard available for grower and grower-packer program participants seeking certification. Freshcare FSQ4.2 is benchmarked to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and accredited by JASANZ.
Wine Industry Standards
Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Viticulture Edition 1
This standard provides the requirements for viticulture growers to achieve certification, a key step in becoming a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is a program for Australian grape growers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve the sustainability of their vineyards and wineries through the environmental, social, and economic aspects of their businesses.
Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Winery Edition 1.1
This standard provides the requirements for wineries and wine businesses to achieve certification, enabling them to become certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
Fresh Produce Supply Chain Standards
The Fresh Produce Supply Chain Standard was developed to provide a food safety and quality management program for businesses involved in fresh produce supply chain operations, including:
- Agents
- Brokers
- Fumigators
- Marketing groups
- Packers
- Ripeners
- Storage and distribution centres
- Transporters
- Wholesalers
The Freshcare Supply Chain Standard Edition 2 (SCS2) is the current standard available for program participants seeking certification. Freshcare SC2 is benchmarked to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and accredited by JASANZ.
Benefits
Freshcare certification is recognised in all Australian domestic market supply chains and can help you to:
- Gain a competitive edge
- Enhance consumer trust
- Meet industry and regulatory requirements
- Increase operational efficiency
- Strengthen your sustainability credentials
- Gain access to new local and global markets
- Promote continuous improvement
