In the wake of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) affecting crops in South Australia's Northern Adelaide Plains, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has assured the public of the safety of consuming the impacted produce. FSANZ CEO Dr. Sandra Cuthbert emphasized that the virus, detected a month ago, poses no food safety risk. "Consumers can continue to eat tomatoes and other produce with confidence," she stated.
The presence of ToBRFV has led to concerns over reduced crop yields and marketability, prompting measures to safeguard other producers and mitigate further impact. Dr. Cuthbert highlighted Australia's stringent biosecurity and food regulation systems, which are in place to manage such plant viruses, ensuring the ongoing sustainability of agricultural industries and the stability of the food supply chain. The situation has had significant repercussions for the industry, with Perfection Fresh Australia reporting substantial job losses due to the outbreak, raising concerns about the potential shutdown of the state's tomato sector.
Source: 9News