New food safety requirements for berry, leafy vegetable, and melon producers in New South Wales will come into effect on 12 February 2026. The changes form part of national standards intended to strengthen food-safety practices and traceability throughout primary production and processing.
From 12 February 2026, primary processors and growers operating on 2 hectares or more of berries, leafy vegetables, or melons will be required to apply for a NSW Food Authority licence and comply with the new national standards. Licence fees will be waived until 12 February 2027. Producers with less than 2 hectares will need to notify their details to the Food Authority and follow the same national standards. Notification is free. The Food Authority will recognise businesses already certified to Freshcare, SQF, Global G.A.P., and BRCGS as meeting these standards, although they will still require a licence and must demonstrate compliance.
NSW Food Authority acting CEO Andrew Davies said the initial implementation will emphasise education. "Our focus for the first 12 months will be to build awareness of the new requirements and educate businesses on the importance of food safety practices," he said. He encouraged producers to notify or apply for their licence from 12 February 2026 to receive support early. Davies added that costs will vary depending on current practices. "Businesses already following good food safety practices will have lower costs, while others may need to change the way they do things, for example, train staff or develop new procedures," he said. He noted that tools and resources, including an educational program with workshops, personalised advice, and informal site visits, are being developed. The education program is expected to begin in early 2026.
For more information:
NSW Food Authority
Tel: +61 2 9538 7310
Email: [email protected]
www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au
