Tas-Saff saffron returns to supermarket shelves

AWARD-winning Tasmanian business Tas-Saff is back on supermarket shelves after a 12-month break.

Nicky Noonan of Tas-Saff at Glaziers Bay with about $60,000 worth of Saffron

AWARD-winning Tasmanian business Tas-Saff has its product back on supermarket shelves after a 12-month break.

Tas-Saff owners Terry and Nicky Noonan said they were distributing to Woolworths and independent supermarkets throughout Australia.

“We believe we are selling the best saffron in the world,” Mrs Noonan said.

Tas-Saff now works with an all-Australian team from McKenzie’s Foods, which is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned food manufacturers and distributors.

Mrs Noonan said McKenzie’s Hand Picked Saffron, harvested and processed in temperate areas of Australia and New Zealand by Tas-Saff’s network of 80 contracted growers, was confronting cheaper imported saffron.

“All our saffron is graded extra category 1 and is backed up by the highest food-safety accreditation, SQF 2000,” Mrs Noonan said.

MORE: TAS-SAFF EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

She said most imported saffron did not carry any International Organisation for Standardisation or other food-safety accreditation.

“Imported saffron can be lower grade and, in some cases, is not even saffron but turmeric or another substitute,” Mrs Noonan said.

“Food labelling and food safety is important. If you want a safe, locally produced product, check the fine print before you buy.”

The Noonans started saffron production in the southern hemisphere when they imported corms from Europe and planted them in the Huon Valley for their first harvest 25 years ago. They have since been joined by a network of saffron growers.

“Saffron adds flavour, colour and aroma to many foods and is considered essential for many traditional dishes, including bouillabaisse and paella,” Mrs Noonan said.

“Saffron’s curative powers have attracted the attention of medical science for its health benefits.”