Improving seed sprout food safety: a farm to retail assessment

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development acting through the South Australian Research and Development Institute

  • Project code: PRJ-003302

  • Project stage: Closed

  • Project start date: Monday, June 15, 2009

  • Project completion date: Thursday, December 20, 2012

  • National Priority: NEPI-Feasibility studies and industry literature reviews

Summary

The objectives of this project are to improve the food safety of alfalfa seed sprouts available for sale to consumers and to facilitate the development of the alfalfa seed sprout industry.
A through-chain project across the sprout supply chain will investigate the agricultural practices in growing seeds for sprouting, post harvest treatments, handling, storage and transportation of seed, seed sanitation regimes and seed growing practices to ensure sprouts produced for human consumption are safe.
Information on the Australian sprout seeds supply chain will be obtained through a combination of producer and plant visits.
The major outcomes of this project include:
• Profile of the seed production, cleaning and seed sprout production industries
• Information for industry-led Sector based Code of Practice
• Seed sprout business and industry development risk management through effective and appropriate seed decontamination treatments.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development acting through the South Australian Research and Development Institute

Objective Summary

The objective of this project is to improve the food safety of alfalfa seed sprouts available for sale to consumers and to facilitate the development of the seed sprout industry.