Flooding and food safety

It is important that growers 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.   

New Zealand food safety has updated its guidance on flood-affected produce. 

Click here to read this information