FreshTest® is the largest and most comprehensive testing program in Australian Horticulture.

FreshTest® is an Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries or Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) initiative to provide low cost MRL (chemical residue) and microbial testing for Wholesalers and their Growers in Australia’s Central Markets. The tests are confidential and are used for verification for food safety and Quality Assurance systems. Since its introduction in December 2001 FreshTest® has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive horticultural residue-testing program undertaken in Australia. It continues to grow as more industry participants make use of the facility.

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The benefits of using FreshTest®

  • We have a dedicated and experienced team who know the industry and provide personalised service. We do all the hard work.
  • FMA has negotiated significant price reductions with a number of laboratories around the country, and by coordinating bulk testing from a central location, substantial reductions in administration fees have also been realised. These saving are passed on to clients.
  • The program is much more streamlined than trying to organise tests as an individual easy process to follow and only takes one phone call for all your testing.
  • Results are easy to read and are turned around quickly.

Duplication of testing has also been eliminated through the establishment of a database to manage the requests and results.

Did you know?

The FreshTest® program:

  • is owned and managed by industry
  • is a national program covering all states and central markets
  • is the overall lowest cost option for produce testing in Australia today
  • handles the largest number and variety of produce samples in Australia today, testing over 150,000 samples across 240 products since 2001
  • is the only program to regularly test for microbial contamination on a large scale

System of Investigation

The FreshTest® program includes a strict system of investigation, corrective action and retesting following the detection of:

  • Pesticide residues in a commodity which exceed the relevant maximum residue limit (MRLs). The program provides industry-driven self-regulation which helps to manage the responsible use of pesticides. All residue testing results are assessed and reported against both the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code MRLs (Standard 1.4.2, Schedules 20 and 21) and the APVMA MRL Standard (Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (MRL Standard for Residues of Chemical Products) Instrument 2023).
  • Microbial levels in a commodity which exceed the relevant maximum limits as determined by various food safety bodies.
  • Traces of heavy metals in a commodity which exceed the relevant maximum limit stipulated in the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code (Standard 1.4.1 – Schedule 19).

The MRLs are adopted into State/Territory Food Codes and appropriate regulations administered by respective state/territory food authorities.
These food safety standards place obligations on a range of operations to produce food that is safe and suitable to eat. Food safety systems utilise FreshTest® to verify that fresh produce is free from any food safety hazards for example chemical residue.

In the case of an MRL exceedance, FreshTest® requests a report on the causes of the incident and proposed corrective actions to be implemented to prevent a recurrence. Investigations have identified areas to support industry such as adherence to the chemical product label, withholding periods, spray drift and possible off-label use.

Integrity

To ensure data integrity, FreshTest® undertakes a strict regime of collection, sample identification, labelling and reporting.

Growers, wholesalers, retailers, auditors and other stakeholders use FreshTest® due to the rigour that underpins the service. The analytical program is undertaken by a contract laboratory (which is incidentally also used by NRS). The service provider is procured through an open, competitive tender based on:

  • demonstrated performance in FreshTest® proficiency testing
  • NATA accreditation to ISO/IEC17025
  • value for money
  • ability to test to specify the analyte combinations
  • FMA does not prescribe ‘official’ testing methods.

Caution

FreshTest® is aware that a number of laboratories quote chemical tests C3, C5, C6. Note that these tests may not be the same as those developed by FreshTest®.

To be sure that the most recent updates are included, use FreshTest® for your verification testing.

Chemical Screens

Freshcare says, “The completion of residue testing of produce is a verification of the ongoing management of chemicals and treatment programs by a business. The tests that are selected need to include all treatments applied, both pre-harvest and postharvest.” (Freshcare In Focus April 2022) A range of Chemical residue screens are currently offered by FreshTest®.

  1. FreshTest® C6M – Mega Fruit & Vegetable Screen (over 560 chemicals)
  2. FreshTest® C6M_Avocado – Mega Fruit & Vegetable Screen (over 560 chemicals) specifically for Avocados due to the oil content.
  3. FreshTest® C3 Basic Screen – for chemicals that can only be tested with the GCMS (GC) Gas chromatography – (MS) Mass Spectrometer method (128 chemicals)
  4. FreshTest® C5 Basic Screen – for chemicals that can only be tested with the – LCMSMS (LC) Liquid chromatography – (MS/MS) Mass Spectrometer method (28 chemicals)
  5. FreshTest® C4 – Dithiocarbamates (7 chemicals)

Microbial Screens

Since the introduction of the service, the FreshTest® maximum limits have been compared against the prevailing standards and industry norms.

A range of Microbial screens are currently undertaken which include E.Coli and Salmonella.

  1. FreshTest® M1 – E.coli
  2. FreshTest® M2 – E.coli; Listeria spp.
  3. FreshTest® M2C – E.coli; Salmonella
  4. FreshTest® M3 – E.coli; Listeria spp.; Salmonella
  5. FreshTest® M9 – E.coli; Thermotolerant Coliforms; Listeria Monocytogenes; Salmonella; Coagulase+ve Staphylococci
  6. FreshTest® M23 Listeria Monocytogenes
  7. FreshTest® M24 E.coli; Listeria Monocytogenes; Salmonella

Swab tests are also available. Contact your local FreshTest® location or review tests online when ordering a new test.

A range of Microbial screens are currently undertaker which include E.Coli and Salmonella.

Heavy Metal Screens

A range of Heavy metal screens are currently undertaken which include Cadmium and Lead.

  1. FreshTest® HM1 – Cadmium
  2. FreshTest® HM2 – Cadmium; Lead; Mercury
  3. FreshTest® HM6 – Lead
  4. FreshTest® HM10 – Cadmium; Lead

The screens were developed and regularly reviewed based on assessment of:

  • Previous results and produce coverage
  • Availability of suitable sampling and analytical methods
  • Likelihood of residues occurring in produce
  • Pesticides registered for use
  • Advice from agronomists
  • Consultation and coordination with National Residue Survey

FreshTest® Order Forms

To have a FreshTest® order form emailed to you, please contact the National FreshTest® Coordinator on 07 39154222 or email [email protected]

Contact FreshTest®

The FreshTest® service is provided in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Western Australia and Adelaide Markets.

To register as a participant in the program or to have any questions answered please contact the National FreshTest® Coordinator.

Phone: (07) 3915 4222

Fax: (07) 3915 4224

Email: [email protected]

Alternately Contact your local provider

NSW

Contact Person: Lindi Shull
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 9764 3244
Fax: 02 9764 2776

South Australia

Contact Person: Paul
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 08-8260 3866
Fax: 08-8260 7789

Queensland

Contact Person: Amanda
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07-3915 4240
Fax: 07-3915 4224

Western Australia

Contact Person: Inci
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 08-9455 2742
Fax: 08-9455 4923

Victoria

Contact Person: Carolyn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03-9408 6627

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