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…
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…
Sprinkler systems are widely recognized as the most effective form of fire protection available in the market, significantly reducing property damage and saving lives. However, sprinklers are not cheap. Depending on the size of your site and the available water supply, installation costs could be in the millions. For many businesses and property owners, the decision to install sprinklers often…
The festive season often brings a natural pause in business operations, providing a valuable opportunity for rest and reflection. However, for companies shutting down over Christmas, ensuring safety and security at worksites is critical to avoid potential risks that can arise during the hiatus. Proper planning and adherence to a comprehensive safety checklist are essential to safeguard personnel, assets, and…