Recently, imported cherries from Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province and Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province tested positive for the new crown virus. Although the re-examination results were negative, the news caused some consumers to panic, caused fluctuations in the sales and prices of imported fruits, and made international fruit and vegetable manufacturers uneasy. The New Zealand Summer Fruit Growers Industry Association recently issued a statement to assure international importers the safety of the fruit.
Richard Palmer, CEO of the New Zealand Summer Fruit Association, said that he has not received notification from the Chinese authorities to the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries. Therefore, the fruit in question has nothing to do with New Zealand for the time being. "Through strict food safety and quality management processes, New Zealand fruits are free from virus infection. New Zealand fruit represents the safest source of fresh fruit, which is the reputation that our industry strives to maintain. ".
Palmer said the last case of a new coronavirus found in local communities in New Zealand was on November 18, 2020, when summer fruits for export had not yet begun to harvest. In addition, New Zealand summer fruit industry has developed strict food safety procedures, including monitoring the health of employees, to ensure the safety of all aspects.