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…
Everyday ingredients like flour, sugar, starch, milk powder and even coffee may seem harmless in a food manufacturing environment—but under the wrong conditions, these common raw materials can become fuel for a devastating dust explosion. Fine particles suspended in the air can ignite with surprising force, turning a small spark into a catastrophic event that threatens workers’ lives, damages equipment,…
30 June 2025 marked the third year in a row that the average workers compensation premium rates under the NSW scheme increase by 8%. These increases were flagged by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). Prior to their 2023-2024 review. With these average increases, base premium rates for some of our typical clients have increased by 10 to 45% over…
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…
A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a framework that ensures an organization can continue operating during and after disruptions such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, fires, product recalls or other crises. We review these plans for clients all the time as they can be crucial in an organisation successfully navigating a critical incident. It is fair to say, what we find…
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…
Your business is probably one of the most valuable assets you have – so it makes sense to protect it in good times and bad. That’s where having the right level of insurance can make all the difference by helping to ensure your business continues to operate smoothly if the unexpected happens. With the current level of inflation, it’s common…