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Food safety testing in full swing in 2019

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Tuesday, 8 January 2019, 4.00pm

MRL sampling
Photo: FGT

FGT has provided a low cost fruit testing service to help growers meet the needs of QA programs since 2003.  The FGT service uses independent NATA-accredited laboratories to detect and quantify chemical, heavy metal and microbiological contaminants within fruit. This year, the testing service has been expanded to more than 280 chemicals, heavy metals and microbiological organisms. The FGT team are also working with leading industry partners to provide efficient testing options suited to the Tasmanian industry’s spray programs and quality assurance needs.  

Independent food safety testing is one of the main cornerstones of modern food safety and quality assurance systems used throughout Australia’s horticultural industries. These tests help growers demonstrate to customers and quality assurance auditors alike that their fruit complies with the highest levels of food safety standards, and is free from agrichemicals, heavy metal and microbiological contaminants. 

Industry demand for FGT's food safety testing service continues to be high, with FGT staff crossing the state to collect fruit samples in recent weeks.  If you would like to organise a sample pick-up or offer feedback on to improve this program, contact Ian or Michael at the FGT office.

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