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

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.

Available Documents

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

Download Potential For Foodborne Transmission Of Covid-19 - Literature Review Update - May 2020

United Fresh COVID-19 Resources

NEW ZEALAND MOVED INTO ALERT LEVEL 2 on Thursday 14th May 2020

A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2

Download A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2

This document will be updated as we receive new information from Government officials.

United Fresh Covid-19 Workplace Posters

Physical Distancing Poster

Download Physical Distancing Poster

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

Alert Level 2 - New Zealand moved to Alert Level 2 on Thursday 14th May 2020

Link to further information Alert Level 2

Golden Rules for Businesses at Alert Level 2

Do everything you can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work — we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe.

COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe.
All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible.
Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them.
Ask everyone, workers, contractors and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
Keep groups of customers at least 1 metre apart, or 2 metres for retail businesses.
Keep contact tracing records of anyone who will have close interaction for example workers, contractors or customers. Retail businesses are not required to keep contact tracing records.
Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Engaging with customers

At Alert Level 2 businesses can have customers on their premises.

Doing business safely

The key public health requirements stay the same at Alert Level 2. Businesses should maintain hygiene measures, including physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces.

All businesses are encouraged to use alternative ways of working if possible.

If workers have symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home.

Self-isolation advice if you’re unwell

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
Facebook
Instagram

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 2 Approach, link here.

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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