Farm to plate safety
All aquaculture cultivated Blue Mussels are harvested in accordance with the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program which aligns Australian Standards with international best practice.
Mussels are filter feeders and rely on the nutrients and food they find in the water. Mussel growing areas are rigorously assessed for food safety risks prior to being approved for use The water is then routinely monitored to ensure each harvest is free of any water quality health risk.
A growing area will be closed for harvesting if there is any potential risk from high rainfall or algal blooms. Information on the status of mussel harvest areas is always available from State based Health & Regulatory Health Authorities.
Australian mussel producers are also issued with a food safety or processing licence to operate which is regulated by the Food Standards Code.
Mussels can be traced from farm to plate through the following channels.
