Grower Advice: Flooding and food safety
February 1st 2023
In the wake of the January 2023 storms, it is important to remind growers how to manage the food safety of fresh produce after floods and major rains.
If your property has been affected by floodwater, it is important to undertake a risk assessment taking into consideration things such as whether the edible portion of the crop has been directly exposed to the floodwater or by floodwater ‘splash’; and how any affected crop can be identified and food safety risks managed.
The impact of floods may also depend on how long the flood water is present, how quickly the growing area dries out and if weather conditions and or stress to the plant could foster fungal growth and the possibility of mycotoxins.
Floodwaters may have:
- Microbial contamination caused by contaminated by sewerage/septic tanks, animal waste, dead animals and decaying vegetative waste
- Chemical contamination including petroleum products, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. Potential sources of chemical contamination will vary greatly depending on the severity of the flood and the proximity to other operations
- Contaminated water supplies.
Growers seeking guidance can turn to the HortNZ website for current best available info on,
- Flood & Food Safety
- Clean-up Assistance
- Financial Support
- Health & Wellbeing
https://www.hortnz.co.nz/compliance/flood-support/
The Fresh Produce Safety Centre of Australia and New Zealand (FPSC) has compiled a number of articles and advice for produce food safety after flooding https://fpsc-anz.com/2022/03/09/resources-on-floods-and-food-safety-2022/
Until we have clearer advice from Food Safety NZ and/or Ministry for Primary Industry, we advise growers to:
- Mark buffer zones between flood affected and unaffected crop. This can be determined on a case-by-case basis but 10 metres from high water is guidance from USA
- Ensure clear identification and segregation of affected and unaffected crop if harvesting for disposal
- Avoid cross-contamination by workers and equipment when operating in affected versus unaffected areas
- Consider waiting times prior to replanting in flood-affected areas. While there is no available research in New Zealand, guidance from the USA indicates a 30 – 60 day waiting period and/or soil testing is generally considered sufficient for faecal contamination to decline. This however is dependent on individual circumstances which would need to be assessed.
In addition, it is advisable to discuss with your customer/markets any proposed course of action.
If you have further questions, please email sbbq.pbzcyvnapr@zcv.tbig.amor call 0800 00 83 33 and ask for Food Compliance.