INNOVATION
PMA A-NZ AND GS1 AUSTRALIA
IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF
FRESH PRODUCE
Produce Marketing
Association Australia-
New Zealand (PMA
A-NZ) and GS1
Australia have
officially signed an agreement to
support the Australian fresh fruit
and vegetable industry to achieve
enhanced food safety through
the use of a national food recall
platform.
The peak industry body PMA
A-NZ encourages the adoption
of the GS1 Australia Recall portal
within the fresh produce industry
to assist growers and suppliers
address major challenges of food
tampering and food safety.
In February this year, Ministers
from the Australia and New
Zealand Ministerial Forum on
Food Regulation, requested Food
Safety Australia and New Zealand
(FSANZ) to identify appropriate
regulatory and non-regulatory
measures for Australia to manage
food safety risks. Particular
products included berries, pre-cut
fruits and melons. The request
creates a microscopic focus on
the risk management of these
products and has become a key
focus area for produce growers,
suppliers and the PMA A-NZ.
Darren Keating, ceo of PMA A-NZ,
says, “Food safety underpins
the success of the entire fresh
produce industry. By using tools
such as GS1 Australia’s Recall
platform, the industry can achieve
greater speed and consistency in
the management of their product
recalls and withdrawals, delivering
safer produce to Australian
consumers.”
The use of the Recall platform
is supported by FSANZ as
a communication tool that
enables organisations of any
size, including manufacturers,
wholesalers, retailers and
importers to share product recall
notifications with their trading
partners and regulators. Recall is
also certified by HACCP Australia
as an effective and suitable
technology for businesses that
operate a HACCP based Food
Safety Program.
“GS1 Australia is proud to
continue its collaboration with
PMA,” said Marcel Sieira, GS1
Australia’s chief customer officer,
“and help their members be better
prepared for product recalls.
Being able to communicate with
your key trading partners and
regulators is key for organisations
to protect their customers, their
reputation and their brand.”
https://www.gs1au.org/ourservices/
recall/
Agreement and
technology will see the
fresh fruit and vegetable
industry better prepared
for product recalls