Important food safety guidance for Nelson/Tasman growers

Following the recent flooding in parts of the Nelson/Tasman region, we’re sharing important food safety guidance for growers.

Floodwaters may contain sewage, fuel, pesticides, heavy metals, and pathogens such as E. coli and these can contaminate produce even if exposure is brief.

Its important growers take extra care to keep people safe and make sure New Zealanders can keep trusting our fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand (FPSC) has prepared guidance, drawing on FPSC Guidelines and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) NZ Food Safety (NZFS) advice. You can find the fact sheet here.

What you need to know

If floodwater has touched the edible part of your crop:

• Do not harvest, sell, or consume it, this includes leafy greens, root crops, fruit, and vine crops
• Washing, peeling or cooking does not remove contamination, these are not considered effective enough.
• Destroy affected produce to prevent cross-contamination in your operation.

If floodwater has not touched the edible part:

• Wait at least two weeks after the flood before harvesting.
• Discard any damaged produce (bruised, cracked, soft, or split).
• Keep a 10-metre buffer zone between flooded and unaffected crops to reduce risk.

Testing (e.g. for E. coli) may support your decision-making but is not sufficient on its own. It’s a good idea to assess risk based on crop type, soil contact, water source safety and the potential for mycotoxins.

Please sanitise all equipment and surfaces regularly.

Only use safe, clean water for irrigation or washing post-flood.

For further information, you can contact FPSC at technical@fpsc-anz.com

Or call MPI Food Compliance: 0800 00 83 33