Modern risk management continues to evolve as organisations seek improved resilience, stronger governance, and clearer links between risk and strategy. Traditional concepts such as inherent risk and residual risk have long been used to describe exposure before and after controls. However, contemporary frameworks— acknowledge there is little value in considering risk without control as this is an unlikely situation. Modern…
Australia is not yet in a declared national fuel emergency. Food remains on shelves, distribution centres are operating, and the National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan (NLFERP) remains formally at Phase 2. However, for food and beverage businesses, that status is misleading. Australia is operating at the upper end of Phase 2, where escalation risk is elevated but not predetermined. The next 7–14 days represent a narrow preparation window. Decisions taken by boards now materially reduce the…
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…
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…
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…