Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts
Seed sprouts are a germinated form of seeds and beans that are consumed either raw or cooked. Examples include alfalfa sprouts, onion sprouts, radish sprouts and mung bean sprouts.
To manage and improve the safety of seed sprouts available to consumers, FSANZ intends to develop a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts for Australia . This standard will be incorporated into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and will be enforceable. Together with other requirements in the Code, the standard will facilitate the management and improvement of seed sprouts safety along the food supply chain.
A primary production and processing standard confers food safety obligations on primary producers and processors of agricultural products . These obligations include measures to control food safety hazards that could occur during the production and processing of a food. The standards, along with other standards in the Code, provide an approach to managing food safety in Australia that extends from production on the farm through to sale to the consumer.
FSANZ will work in partnership with the seed sprouts industry, the relevant Australian State and Territory governments and consumers to develop the standard.
Opportunities to participate in the standard-development process
FSANZ will provide two formal opportunities for interested parties to contribute and provide comment during the standard-development process. Public comment will be invited at both the 1st Assessment and 2nd Assessment stages and will be advertised on the FSANZ website. In addition, individuals and organisations can be placed on a Register of Interested Parties to receive information on the progress of the seeds sprouts work and to be notified when public comment is invited.
If you would like to be placed on the Register, please send your contact details including name, postal and email address to information@foodstandards.gov.au
For additional information on the progress of a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts, please contact:
Dr Hong Jin
Project Manager – Seed Sprouts
Tel: 02 6271 2222