Standard 4.2.6 – Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts

The Board of Food Standards Australia New Zealand gives notice of the making of this Standard under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. The Standard commences on 12 July 2013.

Dated 5 January 2012

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Standards Management Officer

Delegate of the Board of Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Standard 4.2.6

PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING STANDARD FOR

SEED SPROUTS

(Australia only)

Table of Provisions

Division 1 – Preliminary

1 Interpretation

2 Application to retail sale

3 Application of food safety standards

Division 2 – Processing of seed sprouts

4 Meaning of sprout processor

5 General food safety management

6 Receiving seed

7 Inputs

8 Decontamination

9 Traceability

10 Sale or supply

Clauses

Division 1 – Preliminary

1 Interpretation

(1) Unless the contrary intention appears, and subject to Standard 4.1.1, the definitions in Chapter 3 of this Code apply in this Standard.

(2) In this Standard –

decontamination means a process using a controlled environment to reduce the level of pathogenic organisms that may be present in seed sprouts.

seed means seed for use in the production of seed sprouts.

seed sprouts means sprouted seeds or sprouted beans for human consumption that include all or part of the seed.

sprout processor has the meaning given by clause 4.

2 Application to retail sale

This Standard does not apply to retail sale activities of a sprout processor.

3 Application of food safety standards

Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 apply to a sprout processor.

Division 2 – Processing of seed sprouts

4 Meaning of sprout processor

A sprout processor means a business, enterprise or activity that involves any or all of the following for producing seed sprouts –

(a) decontamination of seed or seed sprouts;

(b) soaking of seed;

(d) harvest of seed sprouts; or

(e) washing, drying or packing of seed sprouts.

5 General food safety management requirements

A sprout processor must comply with the general food safety management requirements.

6 Receiving seed

A sprout processor must not produce or process seed sprouts if the processor ought reasonably know or suspect that the seed is of a nature or in a condition that would make the seed sprouts unacceptable.

7 Inputs

A sprout processor must take all reasonable measures to ensure inputs do not make the seed sprouts unacceptable.

8 Decontamination

A sprout processor must implement effective decontamination processes prior to sale or supply of seed sprouts.

9 Traceability

A sprout processor must have a system to identify –

(a) from whom seed or seed sprouts were received;

(b) to whom seed or seed sprouts were supplied.

10 Sale or supply

A sprout processor must not sell or supply seed sprouts for human consumption if the sprout processor ought reasonably know or reasonably suspect that the seed sprouts are unacceptable.