This article was produced by Dipon Sarkar, Victual’s Food Safety Consultant, in partnership with Deon Mahoney and published in Food Australia magazine. It is reproduced here with permission. With food supply chains becoming increasingly intricate, understanding how consumers may be exposed to hazards is vital for safeguarding public health. Building on the previous discussion of hazard identification and characterisation, this…
What is PFAS? Dubbed as the “forever chemicals” and “the next asbestos”, PFAS is a large group of complex synthetic chemicals that has been used in various consumer products since the 1950s. PFAS is broadly used in the manufacturing of water resistant, stain resistant and non-stick goods that are used in a range of applications from Gore-Tex materials and anti-adherent pans to firefighting foams. Risk…
Glycol, particularly food-grade propylene glycol (PG), plays a critical role in the food and beverage sector. Unlike ethylene glycol, which is toxic and unsuitable for food-adjacent environments, propylene glycol is chosen for its lower toxicity, chemical stability, and compatibility with stringent hygiene and safety requirements. Glycol is typically used as a secondary refrigerant in chilled-water or brine loops. When mixed…
This article was produced by Dipon Sarkar, Victual’s Food Safety Consultant, in partnership with Deon Mahoney. It is a two-part article published in Food Australia magazine. It is reproduced here with permission. As food production grows more complex, timely and effective risk assessments are essential. Building on the previous issue’s overview of formal risk assessments, this article explores rapid risk…
The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) 2025 European Symposium, held in vibrant Madrid, brought together over 500 global food safety professionals, scientists, regulators, and industry leaders. With a unifying theme of “advancing food safety through innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation,” the three-day event offered a forward-looking agenda aimed at navigating the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving food…
Australia’s largest supermarkets and grocery wholesalers now must follow a new mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, enforced by the ACCC. The code sets clear rules on how businesses deal with their suppliers, aiming to ensure fair, transparent, and ethical practices across the grocery sector. It applies to all retailers and wholesalers who earned over $5 billion in the…
In 2024, Australia saw a total of 95 food recalls, reflecting an increase from previous years. The primary drivers behind these recalls were undeclared allergens, accounting for 57% of all incidents, and microbial contamination, which contributed to 20% of the recalls. Over the past decade, undeclared allergens have consistently been the leading cause of recalls, with a staggering 213 incidents…
This article was produced by Dipon Sarkar, Victual’s Food Safety Consultant, in partnership with Deon Mahoney. It is a two-part article published in Food Australia magazine. It is reproduced here with permission. With increasing complexities in food production and distribution, a robust framework for assessing and managing risks has become critical. This series in Food Australia aims to explore the…
From 12 February 2025, three new standards aiming to reduce food safety risks in berries, leafy vegetables and melons will come into effect in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. These standards are: Background The initial proposal for these standard changes were made in January 2018, as it was recognised that there has been an increase in food safety…
Many businesses fail to properly classify their operations for insurance purposes, resulting in missed opportunities to lower premiums. The complexities of grouping different activities can lead to inflated costs, but the right adjustments can make a substantial difference. Achieving significant savings through a workers’ compensation restructure can make a substantial difference for your business. By optimizing your coverage, you can…