FOOD SAFETY
& QUALITY
ASSURANCE
SERIOUS ABOUT FOOD SAFETY
Food safety is at the heart of OZblu operations. Guided by principles of ethics, sustainability and transparency, we ensure the highest standards of safety in every aspect of farming and production. Our commitment extends to protecting the environment, conserving resources and safeguarding the health and well-being of our consumers, employees, farmers and the entire community.
WE MEET AND EXCEED THE HIGHEST INDUSTRY STANDARDS
OZblu blueberries are grown, harvested and shipped with the highest standards of care possible, regardless of where they are grown.
Independent third-party audits and certifications verify that farms and facilities comply with national and international food safety rules, global quality assurance standards and customer accreditations as well as ethical and environmental standards.
HOW WE ENSURE QUALITY IN EVERY BERRY
Quality Assurance
Our Food Safety and Quality Management System (QMS) is rigorously maintained and continually enhanced. Through strict policies, procedures and documentation, we ensure full compliance with, and surpass, global standards. OZblu has a dedicated technical team, which together with our farmers, upholds all the requirements necessary to comply with world-class safety standards. We can confidently assure any buyer of our blueberries, with traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain.
OZblu blueberries are handpicked and the harvesters are routinely audited to ensure compliance with good agricultural principles. Our blueberries are packed in the final consumer punnets and/or bulk export cartons in our very own state-of-the-art packing sheds. These packing facilities are carefully monitored and audited to verify compliance with good agricultural practices and HACCP principles. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is an internationally recognised science-based system for reducing the risk of safety hazards in food.
Pest Control
The berry industry is highly regulated to ensure consumer safety and environmental care. Strict Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are set not only to protect consumer health but also to minimise chemical residues in nature. Blueberries grown under these standards are safe and remain one of the healthiest fruits to enjoy – it’s no coincidence they’re considered a top superfood.
The OZblu Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme prioritises natural solutions, such as introducing beneficial organisms, to control pests and disease. Pesticides are only used as a last resort, within strict parameters. Our team is fully trained and certified to apply these products safely, and we meticulously monitor all field records for proper usage.
Rest assured, we do not use any pesticides containing glyphosate. Your safety and the environment are our top priorities.
Water
The water used for irrigation is sourced from nature and is regularly tested for safety, ensuring it’s free from heavy metals and harmful microbes. If necessary, it’s treated using eco-friendly methods like UV light, ozone and hydrogen peroxide to maintain purity.
Our growers are dedicated to sustainable water use, employing advanced irrigation techniques and monitoring systems to protect and conserve this valuable resource.
Farmer Education and Support
Growers benefit from the OZblu Academy, which provides practical hands-on training (both in-person and online) in all areas of growing our low-chill blueberries.
The Academy focuses on four key areas to support sustainable farming and empower growers:
– Access to education
– Bursaries and post-graduate research
– Life skills training
– Agricultural education
OZblu growers are continuously supported by a technical team of agronomists and quality experts. To learn more about the OZblu Academy, click here.
Product Traceability
Every tray of OZblu blueberries is carefully labelled right in the field. The packhouse assigns a unique ID to each pallet, detailing the grower, variety and orchard. This allows us to track the origin and current location of every package of OZblu blueberries.
In the unlikely event of a product quality issue, we can quickly trace the source, investigate the concern, and, if needed, retrieve the product from the distribution chain.
To ensure your peace of mind, we test our traceability system annually for every producer, guaranteeing effective tracking from farm to store.
THE JOURNEY FROM OUR PLANTS TO YOUR PALM
Uncover how we nurture every blueberry, from plant to palm, and see what makes OZblu truly exceptional.