APPLE growers have been given a reminder about the responsibility on their shoulders to maintain food safety.
Independent consult Dr Robert Premier, Global F.S Pty Ltd, spoke on sanitation and food safety management across the supply chain at the Apple and Pear Australia Limited's (APAL) Post Harvest Seminar in Attwood, Victoria in January.
He gave a forthright warning about the impacts of a health scare involving an agricultural crop.
"Food safety issues can hurt us, really bad," he said.
"Food safety practices are all along the chain and that's important, but growers can do the most to reduce food safety issues."
He recommended growers get independent advice and be open to having their businesses reviewed.
He also said it was important to be willing to make adjustments if needed.
"Don't close your eyes and just do the same thing over and over. Be prepared to change your practices," he said.
The three areas of health concern pointed out were microbial contamination, chemical contamination and physical contamination.
"With chemical contamination, anyone who sells to supermarkets has to get this right," he said.
Physical contamination involves such things as grit or dirt within the apples.
But of the three, it was microbial contamination which he said could do with more attention.
Dr Premier said sanitation was just as important in the apple industry as it was in other agriculture sectors like dairy.
The smooth skin and acid levels of apples provide some natural deterrents to bacteria but he said it was still vital to take microbial contamination into account during post harvest handling.
"Leafy vegetables, for example have over a million bacteria per gram,” Dr Premier said. "But in apples, you'll always get less than 1000. Sometimes as low as maybe 100."
He reiterated his opening remarks about instigating change.
"Food safety is everyone's responsibility but the grower is the one who can do the most about it," he said.