Fresh Produce safety management in Bush Fire Zones

In response to inquiries from the horticulture community in Western Australia, the NSW DPI has developed a technical resource on re-assessing microbial food safety risks associated with displaced wildlife due to bushfires and their potential intrusion in the production fields, water sources and processing facilities. This resource is designed not only to assist growers and packers in risk assessment and management but also to aid peak industry bodies and government organisations in conducting bushfire impact assessments and subsequently formulating recovery plans.

While the direct effects of bushfires on property and crop losses are relatively straightforward to assess and justify, the indirect impacts on crop losses and the potential implications on food safety and public health are often overlooked. This resource is targeted to bridge this gap and to mitigate food safety risks associated with disasters such as bushfires.