1. Why do we need regulation of Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons?
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand have introduced three new Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards for Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons into the national Food Standards Code. These Standards take effect from 12 February 2025.
Regulation in some jurisdictions have already commenced while others, such as Tasmania, are currently undertaking public consultation on draft regulations that adopt these Standards.
2. What is meant by Berries?
Berries are defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.7 as fresh berries and include berries such as strawberries, blueberries and berries from the genus Rubus.
Examples of berries included are, but not limited to those listed and raspberries, blackberries, boysenberry, loganberry, silvanberry and youngberry.
3. What is meant by Leafy Vegetables?
Leafy vegetables have been defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.8 as vegetables of a leafy nature where the leaf is consumed raw; and includes baby leaves, lettuce, and leafy herbs; and does not include seed sprouts (covered in PPP Standard 4.2.6).
Examples of leafy vegetables include but are not limited to all lettuces (iceberg (crisphead), rocket, romaine (cos), red leaf, butterhead, endive, oak leaf, watercress, raddachio, baby leaf, battavia, all other loose-leaf lettuces), kale, chicory, watercress, swiss chard, Asian leafy greens (e.g. bok choy), all leafy herbs consumed raw (e.g. parsley, basil, coriander, dill, fennel leaves, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, chives), spring onions, microgreens, spinach leaves, silverbeet and cabbage.
Examples of vegetables that are not considered leafy vegetables include broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, asparagus, artichoke, root and tuber vegetables, bulb vegetables, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, rhubarb, squash, celery and leek.
4. What is meant by Melons?
Melons have been defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.9 as fresh melons and includes watermelon, rockmelon, honeydew melon and piel de sapo. Examples of melons include, but are not limited to, those listed above and galia melon, charentais melon, Korean melon, hami melon.
5. How much will these new regulations cost me?
Costs will be determined following review of the submissions received from the current public consultation phase. The model to be used for the tiered system has not yet been defined and costs will be dependent upon this.
6. When will the changes take effect?
The Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards for Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons of the national Food Standards Code have been in place since 12 February 2025.
In Tasmania, we hope to have all producers accredited by 30 June 2026. There will be 12-month transition period following the commencement of the new regulations focussed on education and facilitating compliance as well as recognising existing industry schemes which enable businesses to demonstrate compliance with the standards. Enforcement of the Regulations will commence from 1 July 2027.
7. What do the changes mean for me?
Primary producers of berries, leafy vegetables and melons need to comply with the relevant Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards. There will be different requirements based on the activities businesses engage in. More information will be posted on the Biosecurity – Product Integrity homepage as it becomes available following consultation.
8. What do the changes mean for home gardeners?
If you are producing vegetables for your personal use or for sharing with friends and family, you are welcome to provide feedback as part of the public consultation. You do not need to notify or become accredited with NRE Tas.
For more information, please contact: