COVID-19 Updates and Resources for the New Zealand Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Industry

All of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1

Auckland joined the rest of New Zealand at Alert Level 1 at 11:59pm on Wednesday 7th October 2020.

Available Documents

Potential for Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19: Literature Review Update - July 2020

United Fresh is working with a wide range of organisations to support the New Zealand Food Safety & Science Research Centre literature review updates.

NZFSSRC - POTENTIAL FOR FOODBORNE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19/ LITERATURE REVIEW UPDATE - July 2020

NZFSSRC - COVID-19 Guidance Document for PPE

A guidance document regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been developed by the NZFSSRC.

NZFSSRC - COVID-19 Guidance Document for PPE

United Fresh COVID-19 Contacts:

General & Media Enquiries: Paula Dudley, General Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated info@unitedfresh.co.nz

Supply Chain: Jerry Prendergast, President, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, info@unitedfresh.co.nz

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Boxes for Community Groups: Stephanie Wrathall, Project Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated stephanie@5aday.co.nz

Food Safety: Anne-Marie Arts, Food Safety Representative, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group amarts@agrichain-centre.com

Technical Queries: Dr Hans Maurer, Chair, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group hmaurer@agrichain-centre.com

Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers, link here.

United Fresh Covid-19 Workplace Posters

United Fresh Hand-washing Poster

Download COVID-19 Hand-washing Poster

Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Poster

Download Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Poster

At Alert Level 1 we all need to be ready in case COVID-19 reappears in our community.

Golden rules at Alert Level 1

If you're sick

Staying at home if you’re sick is especially important at Alert Level 1. The risk of COVID-19 being spread in the community is much greater when there are no restrictions on gatherings or going out.
Get a test if you have symptoms: If you have cold or flu symptoms, stay home and call your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 to see if you need a test.

Maintain good hygiene

Keep up good hand washing practices, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and drying thoroughly
Cough and sneeze into your elbow
Keep surfaces clean

Face coverings help keep you and others safe

Continuing good habits with face coverings will keep you and others safe, even at Alert Level 1 when it’s no longer compulsory.
The governement encourage you to use face coverings on public transport and when you cannot maintain physical distance from people you do not know, for example in supermarkets.
Be prepared by having a supply of face coverings for everyone who usually lives in your household. Add some to your household emergency kit.

Keep track of where you’ve been and who you've seen

At Alert Level 1, there is still a risk of COVID-19 returning to the community. The government encourages you to continue tracking where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help with contact tracing, if required.

Keep your distance

COVID-19 is contained at Alert Level 1, but it’s still worthwhile to keep a safe distance from people you don’t know while out and about. This will help to minimise the spread of COVID-19 if community transmission returns.

COVID-19 Official App

The Ministry of Health has released the NZ COVID Tracer app to support contact tracing in New Zealand.

Any business or public facing organisation with a New Zealand Business Number can generate a QR code poster for each of their premises through the Business Connect online service.

NZ COVID Tracer is available from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

How to download the NZ COVID Tracer app

How to register and get QR code posters

Information about contact tracing in New Zealand

Food Safety:

According to the NZ Food Safety Science & Research Centre and MPI, so far, there is no evidence that humans have been infected by swallowing the virus in or on food or drink, though it has been found in a small number of faecal samples. The strong acid in the stomach is thought to destroy this type of virus.

The European Food Safety Authority have also stated: There is no evidence that food is a likely source or root transmission of COVID-19.

The World Health Organisation & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States has put together this document: COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses, download here.

Key Information from MPI:

Primary sector information, link here.

MPI key advice for food businesses (including the pan-fresh fruit and vegetable industry) is that “it is unlikely that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, and there isn’t evidence to date of this happening. It is more important than ever that food businesses apply strict food preparation and hygiene practices.

For more COVID-19 food safety information and updates, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/coronavirus-and-food-safety

Where businesses want to take extra measures to protect their staff and customers, they should do so in line with Ministry of Health advice on social distancing and limiting the spread of the virus – contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453, visit www.health.govt.nz, or the all of Government COVID-19 website www.covid19.govt.nz”.

Key Websites & Information

Unite Against COVID-19 - Government Platforms:

Website

COVID-19 Economic Response Package, link here.

EMA - Obligations for Employers to manage Novel Coronavirus, link here.

MBIE - Information for Businesses, link here.

NZTE - Information for Exporters, link here.

WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Safety Plan, What you need to think about, link here.

WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Alert Level 1 Approach, link here.

24 Aug 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES AUCKLAND TO REMAIN AT ALERT LEVEL 3 UNTIL SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST AT 11:59PM

The Prime Minister has announced that Auckland will remain at Alert Level 3 until Sunday 30th August at 11:59pm, as decided at the Cabinet Meeting today

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17 Aug 2020

COVID 19 UPDATE - All Businesses need NZ COVID Tracer QR Code Poster & Auckland Border Crossing Info

The Prime Minister announced on Wednesday 12 August that all businesses must display a NZ COVID Tracer QR code from 11:59am on Wednesday 19 August.

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14 Aug 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE - NZ Food Safety Scientific Opinion on Covid-19 transmission through food packaging

To follow is the most up-to-date information from the Ministry for Primary industries on the unlikely transmission of COVID-19 by food or food packaging.

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26 Jun 2020

United Fresh Food Safety Update June 2020 - Research, COVID-19 & Fresh Produce Food Safety Framework

This edition discusses activities and initiatives underway in the food safety and traceability arena over the last year. We examine the increasing collaboration across industry in food safety and a proposed New Zealand Fresh Produce Food Safety Framework Research Project.

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09 Jun 2020

COVID-19 Update – United Fresh Business Guide at ALERT LEVEL 1

Now we have moved into Alert Level 1 everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want.

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22 May 2020

Potential for Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19: Literature Review Update - May 2020

The New Zealand Food Safety Science Research Centre (NZFSSRC) have released an update of the potential for foodborne transmission of Covid-19 literature review.

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28 Apr 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE – ALERT LEVEL 3 - Updated Guide & Business Guidelines

Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well During ALERT LEVEL 3 and Essential Businesses to stay on restricted access during ALERT LEVEL 3

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16 Apr 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE - Government announces what Alert Level 3 will look like

The government shared earlier today the work that has been done on updating the COVID-19 Alert Levels. You will find the updated levels here.

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15 Apr 2020

5000 5+ A Day Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Boxes Diverted to Families During Covid-19

Fresh produce deemed for the Fruit and Vegetables in Schools (FIS) initiative is now being diverted to families in need during Covid-19 lockdown.

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08 Apr 2020

NZFSSRC Potential For Foodborne Transmission Of Covid-19 Literature Review Update - April 2020

United Fresh is cooperating with wide range of food industries and organisations to support the New Zealand Food Safety & Science Research Centre literature review update Potential For Foodborne Transmission Of Covid-19.

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08 Apr 2020

COVID19.govt.nz Website Produce Washing Advice Updated

The government website for COVID-19 has been updated with the correct information for consumers around the washing of fresh fruit and vegetables once they get them home. We had asked them to remove their advice of using soapy water last week so it is great to see this has happened.

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30 Mar 2020

United Fresh Urges Kiwis to Eat More Fresh Produce and to Wash It First

New Zealanders can safely purchase fresh fruit and vegetables during COVID-19 and our country’s only pan-produce organisation that represents the entire value-chain, United Fresh, is reminding Kiwis to wash all produce as you normally would by rinsing it under the tap before consuming it.

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27 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update - MPI Starts Site Visits & Physical Distancing Poster

MPI starting site visits today, Friday 27th March and United Fresh Physical Distancing poster shared.

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26 Mar 2020

MPI answers key COVID-19 questions for fresh fruit and vegetable industry

MPI answers questions about 2m distancing rule, access to protection equipment, workers over 70, independant F&V shops and movement to & from work.

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25 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update - MPI's Register for Safe Practice and Fruit & Vegetable Shops Closing

As New Zealand moves into National Alert Level 4 in response to COVID-19, the primary industries have been included on the list of essential services and fruit and vegetable stores to close.

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25 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 4 and UF Guide to Business Continuity

COVID Alert Level 4 Description & United Fresh Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well – Continuity Planning for Businesses

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23 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 3

The government has now put New Zealand into Alert Level 3 (and indicated that this will go to Alert Level 4 in 48 hours).

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23 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 2 Update – Government Asks Commerce Commission For Flexibility

As we all work together as a nation and industry to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to help protect our people, United Fresh will continue to provide updates for our industry to assist with business continuity.

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19 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update including New Government Information Platforms

The government has created a website that has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place.

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17 Mar 2020

Literature Review - Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19

Our colleagues at the New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre (NZFSSRC) have shared their Literature Review on Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19 for the food industry.

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05 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update for United Fresh Members

We are all very concerned about the potential impact COVID-19 could have on our businesses. The purpose of this update is to distil the key messages of what we need to consider.

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