FAQs

If the second business is operating separately to the existing business registered with Freshcare, you will be required to register the additional business by completing an Additional Business Registration Form. Registering an additional business incurs a $93.50 (Incl GST) registration fee.

There is no additional training requirement when registering an additional business if the trained representative from the existing business will be managing the Freshcare Program for the additional business. If this is not the case, training of the person responsible for managing the Freshcare Program for the additional business is required.

Each additional business will require individual audits to obtain Freshcare Certification. A Freshcare Certification Fee is applicable to each individual business at the time of audit.

If you are unsure whether you are required to register your additional business, Contact Us for further assistance.

Only Freshcare certified businesses can utilise the Freshcare certification mark of the program they are certified to, such as FSQ or ENV. Please refer to the Freshcare Rules surrounding the use and application of Freshcare certification marks. If you are a Freshcare certified business interested in using the Freshcare certification mark, please complete Freshcare’s Logo Permission Request with your Certification number and intention for use of the logo.

Your logon details to FreshcareOnline are sent out with the original welcome pack you receive once your business has been registered with Freshcare (either via your trainer or as an additional business).

Please Contact Us to have your logon details resent.

If you know your Company ID, or have your Freshcare Certificate (Company ID = last 5 digits of your certification number), you can have your password reset via the forgotten password option of the FreshcareOnline Logon.

FreshcareOnline provides Freshcare participating businesses with the ability to view and update their contact details. By logging into FreshcareOnline and updating your details you have notified all required contacts in one instance. Your online changes prompt a notification to Freshcare of the changes made. These changes are then forwarded to your Certification Body to ensure all contact information is correct, up to date and consistent.

Please Contact Us for assistance.

Freshcare Certification Bodies have 10 business days to report a Freshcare audit. Certificates are issued within 10 business days once certification is achieved

Freshcare certificates are emailed by the Certification Body and are also available for download via FreshcareOnline.

The auditor that completed your Freshcare audit will leave you with (or provide within a few days) a copy of your audit report and details of any Corrective Action Records (CARs) raised during the audit. The CAR details should outline which element of the Code it is applicable to and what is required to complete the CAR closure. Evidence of CAR closure should be provided directly to the auditor, Certification Body, or contact outlined in the audit report.

Details of CARs raised at audited can be viewed via FreshcareOnline once the audit has been logged by the Certification Body.

CARs should be closed out within 28 days of the audit. CARs outstanding for longer than 28 days will place your Freshcare certification status in certification pending and will hold up your Certificate.

For FSQ-SC Major CARs must be closed out within 14 days of the audit.

Freshcare businesses may incur additional costs due to the extra time it may take to implement the new standards and/or meet audit requirements. The impact will vary depending on the circumstances of each business. However, we do not expect that there will be substantial changes to system implementation and compliance which should keep cost increases to a minimum.

The Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standards are required to be updated to align with the release of new benchmark criteria as set by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Freshcare communicates updates to the Food Safety & Quality Standards directly with participating businesses and stakeholders.

Information on the Freshcare Standards can be found here: https://www.freshcare.com.au/our-standards/

The GFSI benchmark process also means changes for our certification bodies in areas such as auditor competency, audit scheduling and management of corrective actions.

The Freshcare office has also been required to update our internal management systems and operating procedures, undergoing annual assessments and meeting reporting requirements to GFSI.

Businesses certified to Freshcare can feel confident they are meeting international best practice food safety standards determined by GFSI benchmarks, and are compliant with customer food safety requirements for HARPS.

Freshcare has achieved GFSI benchmark status for its fresh produce food safety and quality standards covering production on-farm through to the supply chain. Freshcare undertook GFSI benchmarking to ensure ongoing market acceptance of Freshcare Certification by domestic and international retailers.

Benchmarking to GFSI has proven that Freshcare food safety systems are aligned with global best practice.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is an international benchmark model of best practice against which food safety systems such as Freshcare can be assessed.  Customers can confidently accept fresh produce from suppliers certified with any food safety system that meets the GFSI benchmark requirements.

More information on GFSI can be found here: https://www.mygfsi.com

Freshcare requires the following national competencies to be included in all chemical user training qualifications:

• AHCCHM303 – Prepare and apply chemicals
• AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals.

Some examples of training course providers that deliver these competency units are AusChem Training, ChemCert Australia and SmartTrain.

Freshcare does accept composite residue test results, providing the test is a broad spectrum screen and has been conducted by an appropriate NATA – accredited laboratory.

Composite residue testing is the testing of more than one product (of the same crop type), per residue test. Results are then distributed by the number of products included in the composite test. If a violation occurs on a composite test, individual product testing will then be required.

Please note that customer specific requirements may differ, and approval for composite testing may be required from individual customers.

The Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard requires each participating business to complete a multi-screen test that includes chemicals used as part of your spray program and, where applicable, postharvest chemicals.

A rotation system must be used so that a different crop is tested each year.

There should be more than one product tested, where there are significant differences in crop groupings managed, and/or chemical application/treatment programs.

To ensure appropriate control of risk, a business must assess whether further testing is required. If required, product testing is to be completed by a NATA-accredited laboratory.

Please note that customer specific requirements may differ to Freshcare requirements and hence residue testing per crop may be necessary for some customers.

Freshcare FSQ training introduces the key areas of food safety risk on-farm and allows you to apply these to your own operations, the training provides guidance on how to interpret the Standard requirements, manage any risks identified and outlines the procedures, practices and record keeping required to demonstrate compliance with the Food Safety & Quality Standard.

JASANZ (Joint Accreditation System Australia New Zealand) is an accreditation body.

JAS-ANZ accreditation sends a clear message. It says your Certification Body can be counted on to perform its duties—in an authoritative and impartial way. It flags that you have been approved by an independent third-party as a professional body that acts with integrity when certifying or inspecting for conformity assessment.

JAS-ANZ accredited certification underpins food exports and the domestic market– many customers purchasing these products require accredited certification as a declaration of the safety of the products produced, and as proof that regulatory requirements have been fulfilled.

The Freshcare Food Safety & Quality Standard is one of the food schemes accredited by JASANZ.

Incident management planning will help detail the steps to be taken before, during and after an incident or event to maintain the financial viability of the business.

Proper planning and preparation by your business is key to avoid and reduce the risks associated with events or incidents that could result in major disruptions to operations; and preparing a plan to ensure services to customers can continue.

A Management Review is a formal, structured meeting which involves owners and/or senior managers of the business and takes place at regular intervals throughout the year but must occur at least annually.

The objective of the management review is to ensure the food safety and quality system implemented remains suitable, adequate and effective.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is Australia’s national program for grape growers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social, and economic aspects of their businesses.

The program takes a holistic approach to managing, supporting and promoting sustainability. It is administered by the Australian Wine Research Institute with governance, endorsement and active support from Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is modelled on global best practices and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.

It provides a clear pathway to becoming a Certified Member, with the full support of the Australian Wine Research Institute along the way.

Certified members:

• Commit to triennial independent audits to the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice.
• Are identified by the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark – an assurance to customers and consumers of how the product is produced.
• Benefit from inclusion in Wine Australia’s marketing events programs, in case studies, sustainability stories, and in Wine Australia’s education and content for customers and consumers.

Registered businesses that had previously participated or received training in the Freshcare Environmental Viticulture or Environmental Winery Codes of Practice will need to transition to the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Viticulture (AWISSP-VIT1) or Winery (AWISSP-WIN1), by 1 January 2021. 

From 1 January 2021, only audits to Freshcare AWISSP-VIT1 or  Freshcare AWISSP-WIN1 will be undertaken.

Freshcare is the certification program owner that manages the development, application, and certification processes of the Freshcare Standards provided for voluntary use by industry.

The Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice – Edition 1 in both Viticulture (AWISSP-VIT1), and Winery (AWISSP-WIN1), were developed to support the Australian Wine Industry, and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia members.

Certification to AWISSP-VIT1 and AWISSP-WIN1 is achieved through third-party audits on a triennial basis.

The Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark has been released in conjunction with the AWISSP-VIT1 and AWISSP-WIN1 Standards, for use by certified members on wine labels, communications, and marketing materials, to provide a visible demonstration of their commitment to sustainable practices. Customers and consumers will know from seeing the trust mark that the vineyard and winery have met rigorous standards of sustainability.

Certified members will also benefit from enhanced international marketing opportunities through Wine Australia’s marketing events programs and the integration of sustainability stories into Wine Australia’s education and content for customers and consumers.

The requirement for Freshcare training in the AWISSP-VIT and AWISSP-WIN Standards is to ensure each participating business has at least one trained representative.

Freshcare training supports the interpretation of requirements of the Standards, provides examples of the documents and record-keeping needed to be kept, and explains how to integrate the program for best practice.

Training supports learning and program adoption and is an important component of all Freshcare Standards. Training ensures consistency in application, understanding and preparedness by participants in the Freshcare programs, and supports them to have all the tools needed to support their certification journey. 

It is acknowledged that a number of participants may have existing qualifications relevant to applying the Standards, however, participation in the Freshcare training component should still benefit those participants, providing an opportunity for a greater understanding of the program and insight into ways the individual or business can integrate it.

Audits to the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice (Viticulture or Winery), are required to be undertaken on a triennal basis for businesses to maintain certification.

When preparing for your first audit, it is recommended to have a minimum of 3 months’ program records established.

To schedule and book your audit, contact one of Freshcare’s registered Certification Bodies here. Alternatively, complete the Audit Quote Request Form to receive a quote for audit from all available Certification Bodies