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Issue 6 - December 2019

Welcome to the December edition of Freshcare in focus, this months content includes:

Freshcare Christmas notice and closure period.
Launch of the Freshcare Recognised Supplier Register.
FSQ4.1 are you ready?
GSFI benchmarking update.
Freshcare Rules v4.3 applicable from 1 January 2020.

The Freshcare office will be closed from 4.30pm Friday 20th December 2019
until Monday 6th January 2020.
During this period urgent enquires can be emailed to admin@freshcare.com.au

Launch of the Freshcare Recognised Supplier Register

The Freshcare Recognised Suppliers Register (FRSR) is a game-changer for approved supplier management!

Businesses that provide products and services to the fresh produce and wine industry can now register to be part of the FRSR, to not only promote and disclose the services they offer but also upload evidence to support their credentials in the form of certificates of compliance, evidence of accreditation or written declarations.

As the FRSR grows, Freshcare participating businesses will be able to search for new suppliers of products and services in specific categories and locations; or find their existing suppliers, in order to source up-to-date compliance evidence for their approved supplier records.

More information including registration options and demonstration listings can be found at www.freshcare.com.au/recognised-suppliers

Download information flyer here: FRSR Information

FSQ4.1 are you ready?

The transition from FSQ4 to FSQ4.1 is required for all audits from 1st January 2020.

If your Freshcare on farm food safety and quality audit takes place in January or February 2020, you will need to be prepared and transitioned to FSQ4.1, as from the new year no audits to FSQ4 will take place.

We recommend you commence the transition process now, start by reviewing and updating your Freshcare documents and records to ensure you're adequately prepared. Information to assist the transition to FSQ4.1 is available here: www.freshcare.com.au/standards/fsq4-1

If you have any questions regarding the transition to FSQ4.1, please contact us at info@freshcare.com.au or 1300 853 508.

Click here to purchase your FSQ4.1 manual - free folder included

GFSI benchmarking update

The Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard 4.1 (FSQ4.1) commenced its public comment period with GFSI on 14th November 2019, which closes formally on 13th December 2019.

The next stage to finalise Freshcare's benchmark is the GFSI Board's final approval and communication. A date for this to occur is yet to be communicated by GFSI.

You can continue to follow our progress via the link below.

Click here to monitor Freshcare's progress to GFSI Benchmarking

! Reminder to all participating businesses from 1 January 2020
Freshcare Rules Version 4.3 - July 2019 are applicable to all current Freshcare Standards.

Freshcare Standards that remain current from 1 January 2020 include:

Freshcare Food Safety and Quality - Edition 4.1 (FSQ4.1)
Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Supply Chain - Edition 1 (SC1)
Freshcare Environmental - Edition 3 (ENV3)
Freshcare Environmental Viticulture - Edition 2 (ENV-VIT2)
Freshcare Environmental Winery - Edition 2 (ENV-WIN2)

Click here to download - Freshcare Rules v4.3

To all our Members, Stakeholders and Friends,

We would like to thank you for your support and contribution to the Freshcare program in 2019.

We look forward to the developments and opportunities 2020 will bring.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Best regards,

The Freshcare Team

Contact Freshcare via email: info@freshcare.com.au
or phone: 1300 853 508 (+612 8039 9999).