Fresh fruit and veges not from China

New Zealanders can continue buying fresh fruit and vegetables safe in the knowledge they have not been imported from China.

That’s the message from United Fresh, the organisation representing fresh produce suppliers, following claims that New Zealanders may be eating contaminated imported produce, without even knowing where it comes from.

“Only two fresh products from China appear on New Zealand food retailers’ shelves,” said United Fresh president Ron Becroft. “Those are garlic and ya pears. Those two products are imported under a bilateral quarantine agreement with China, administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

“New Zealand retailers do not stock fresh broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes or any other fresh produce grown in China. United Fresh encourages all its members to identify the country of origin of all their imported fruit and vegetables. This is because we respect consumers’ right to know where their food comes from."