Processing standards for leafy vegetables, melons and berries 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has developed new Australia-wide standards to improve food safety for the primary production and processing of:

  • leafy vegetables
  • melons
  • berries.

The new standards are automatically adopted in the WA Food Act 2008 and will be enforced Australia-wide from 12 February 2025.

The new standards were developed to improve food safety in the three commodities and to prevent future outbreaks and foodborne illness in the community. FSANZ has estimated the total annual cost of illness in Australia from these three commodities at $20.8 million.

Leafy vegetables and melon growers and processors must now legally register as a food business with their local government, and berry primary producers and processors must notify as a food business with the local government, before the standards commence on 12 February 2025.

Leafy vegetables 

Standard 4.2.8 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Leafy Vegetables (external site) applies to primary producers and to primary processors of leafy vegetables in Australia.

As defined in the Standard, a leafy vegetables means vegetables of a leafy nature where the leaf is consumed raw and includes, but not limited to:

  • all lettuces including, iceberg (crisphead), rocket, romaine (cos), red leaf, butterhead, endive, oak leaf, watercress, radicchio, baby leaf, batavia, all other loose-leaf lettuces,
  • kale
  • chicory
  • watercress
  • swiss chard
  • Asian leafy greens (e.g. bok choy),
  • all leafy herbs consumed raw (e.g. parsley, basil, coriander, dill, fennel leaves, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, chives)
  • spring onions
  • microgreens
  • all spinach leaves
  • silverbeet and
  • cabbage.

Melons 

Standard 4.2.9 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Melons (external site) applies to primary producers and to primary processors of melons in Australia.

As defined in the Standard, “melons” means fresh melons; and includes, but not limited to:

  • watermelon
  • rockmelon
  • honeydew melon
  • piel de sapo
  • galia melon
  • charentais melon
  • Korean melon and
  • hami melon.

Berries 

Standard 4.2.7 Primary Production and Processing Standard for Berries (external site) applies to primary producers and to primary processors of berries in Australia.

As defined in the Standard, “berries” means fresh berries; and includes, but not limited to:

  • strawberries
  • blueberries
  • raspberries
  • blackberries
  • boysenberry
  • loganberry
  • silvanberry
  • youngberry

How to apply

To notify the Shire of your primary production food business, please complete the appropriate form below: 

Produce Growers and processors on a recognised food safety scheme Growers and processors NOT on a food safety scheme

Leafy Vegetables and Melons

 Registration form (Word 31KB) Registration form with FSMS template (Word 68KB)
Berries Notification form (Word 42KB)

Growers not on a Food Safety Scheme are required to submitted a Food Safety Management Statement in support of their application. 

The standards will come into effect on 12 February 2025 and therefore it is recommended that you contact us at the earliest opportunity to start the notification or registration process.

Our Environmental Health Officer will undertake an initial assessment with you prior to issuing you with a Certificate of Registration for your food business and Verification of your Food Safety Management Statement. 

Resources:

Fact Sheet for Food Standards for Horticulture

A Department of Health Guidance - Primary Production Standards 

Food Safety Management Statement for Horticulture