About food safety compliance testing

Fruit Growers Tasmania provide several testing options for the needs of the state’s horticultural producers. All sample testing is carried out by National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited service providers, with users provided with a certificate of results at the end of the testing process.

Business benefits from the service include convenience, flexibility and industry bulk buying discounts. Results from sample tests will also contribute useful information to inform national industry management of agrichemical use.

Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) testing is an essential component of food safety and quality assurance programs, and growers that have implemented QA must have an MRL test completed prior to audit.

Food Safety compliance testing

Agrichemical testing options to suit your business

Fruit Growers Tasmania has developed default testing packages to help businesses easily keep on top of compliance testing requirements.

  • Basic Screen - this package covers widely used chemistry to suit many crop protection programs. Ideal for those looking to keep costs low, it covers most compounds in all fruit commodities.
  • Supermarket Screen - this package includes all chemistry found in the Basic Screen, plus 28 additional compounds with specialty uses in different sectors. Ideal for businesses running comprehensive crop protection programs.
  • Export Screen - our most comprehensive agrichemical package, encompassing more than 260 agrichemical products. Designed for businesses demonstrating compliance in a wide range of markets, and aligns with programs including the National Residue Survey. 

Other product testing options are also available, including:

  • Heavy Minerals Screen - this package helps producers demonstrate freedom from metal contamination.
  • Microbiological Screen - this package tests for common food pathogens.  
  • Patulin Screen - designed for processors, patulin testing helps monitor and develop systems to avoid this contaminant. 

Fruit sample collection guidelines

Quotes for specialty testing packages can also be provided for chemicals not listed above. To find out more, please contact ido@fruitgrowerstas.org.au.