If you own a market garden, you need to be aware of new laws that come into effect from 12 February 2025 to improve food safety. These new national food safety standards relate to the production and processing of leafy vegetables, melons and berries.
Melons and leafy vegetables
If you grow or process leafy vegetables and/or melons, you must now legally register as a food business with the City of Wanneroo to comply with the new law.
Growers and processors on an existing food safety scheme
Growers on existing schemes, such as Freshcare, SQF and Global GAP, will only be required to provide general business contact details and copies of select forms that are already completed as part of their certification to complete their registration.
These growers and processors will not be subjected to routine inspections as they are already audited by a certified independent third-party auditor.
Please complete and submit the following form to ensure you have complied with this requirement:
Food Registration Form - (PDF 243 KB)
Growers and processors not on an existing food safety scheme
Growers that are not on existing schemes will need to formally document how they will be managing food safety in a food safety management statement, to be submitted with their completed registration form.
Please complete and submit the following form, which includes a food safety management statement template, to ensure you have complied with this requirement:
Food Registration Form and Food Safety Management Statement - (PDF 251 KB)
Inspections
The City will carry out routine inspections of leafy vegetable and melon grower farms and primary processing facilities using the Fresh Produce Risk Assessment Guide available below:
Fresh Produce Risk Assessment Guide - (PDF 284 KB)
Berries
If you grow berries, you must notify the City of Wanneroo of your berry operations to comply with the requirements of the new law, including being able to trace your produce. Berry growers are not generally subjected to routine inspections.
Please complete and submit the following form to ensure you have complied with this requirement:
Food Notification Form - (PDF 178 KB)
Further information
For further information on these new laws, please visit the Department of Health website, or contact the City of Wanneroo Health Services on (08) 9405 5000.