FreshTest™ is an  Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries or Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) initiative to provide low cost MRL (chemical residue) and microbial testing for primary Wholesalers and their growers in Australia’s Central Markets.

The tests are confidential and are used for verification for food safety and Quality Assurance systems. All laboratories used in the FreshTest™ program are National Association of Testing Agencies (NATA) accredited.

Since its introduction in December 2001, FreshTest™ has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive horticultural residue-testing program undertaken in Australia. It continues to grow as more industry participants make use of the facility.

The Benefits of FreshTest™

The program is much more streamlined than trying to organise tests as an individual and The Australian Chamber has negotiated significant price reductions with a number of laboratories around the country, saving up to 50 per cent of the regular testing price. The dedicated database also eliminates duplication of testing and Fresh State manages all the requests and results.

Dedicated and experienced team

  • Personalised service
  • We know the industry

Competitive pricing

  • Substantial savings due to volume testing
  • Savings are passed onto you

Convenient, simple, and quick

  • Located at the Melbourne Market
  • One phone number for all your testing
  • We do all the hard work
  • An easy process to follow
  • Easy to read results
  • Quick turn-around
  • Easy access to results online (including historical data)

Collection and sampling requirements

Fresh State makes it easy to do your testing. We send tests everyday—you just need them ready before 8am.

Fresh State has been appointed to coordinate samples for testing on behalf of FreshTest™ Australia for primary wholesalers within the Melbourne Markets and growers in Victoria.

To organise a test, complete the FreshTest™ Request Form and send it to the Melbourne FreshTest™ at [email protected] or fax (03) 8401 3690 the day before testing is required.

All samples must be received before 8:00 am on the nominated test day to allow time for processing prior to being dispatched to the testing laboratory.  Any product received after this time cannot be included and will be placed in refrigerated storage until the next collection day.

You can either drop off your produce at the Melbourne Market Credit Service (Fresh State office, Store 36 Melbourne Market) or call the FreshTest™ on 0438 429 238 or (03) 9408 6627 and we can collect samples from your business if you are located at the Melbourne Market.

Alternatively, you can courier or post the samples to Fresh State FreshTest™ at:

Store 36, Melbourne Market
35 Produce Drive, Epping
VIC, 3076

Sample size/weight

A minimum of 500 grams of product is required for each test requested.  For example, if you require a C3 and a M1 test on a sample we will require a minimum of 1kg of product.

Larger produce such as watermelons will require one whole piece of fruit for each test requested.

Test results

FreshTest™ Online enables users to obtain test results as soon as they become available.

The lab results, depending on the test, are sent to Fresh State approximately 4-6 working days after the test has been sent away.  On receipt, Fresh State inputs the test results into the FreshTest™ database and on request, we can email the laboratory certificates directly to you ensuring you get results even faster.

All members have log-in details to FreshTest™ Online and can easily access history details by entering a date range.  You can also access separate reports for your individual growers.  If there is an Adverse Detection, this report will be forwarded to you immediately, however they are also readily available from FreshTest™ Online.

For more information about FreshTest™ contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0438 429 238