The following is the latest recall notice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is included here with permission.

Vegie Delights Savoury Vegie Mince 400g 

​​​​​​​Date published: 02 September 2021

Product information

Life Health Foods AU PTY LTD is conducting a recall of Vegie Delights Savoury Mince 400g. The product has been available for sale at Woolworths, independent food retailers including IGA and specialist retailers nationally.

Date markings

Use By 06/09/21, 13/09/21, 21/09/21, 27/09/21, 04/10/21, 11/10/21, 19/10/21

Problem

The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (gluten).

Food safety hazard

Any consumers who have a gluten allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed.

Country of origin

New Zealand

What to do​

Consumers who have a gluten allergy or intolerance should not consume this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Life Health Foods AU Pty Ltd
1800 673 392 / infoAU@lhf.net
https://vegiedelights.com.au / http://www.lhf.net

The following is a recall notice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is included here with permission.

Barossa Fine Foods Pastrami 100g 

​​​​Date published: 01 September 2021

Product information

Knoll Consultants & Investments Pty. Ltd. is conducting a recall of Barossa Fine Foods Pastrami 100g. The product has been available for sale at independent food retailers including IGA in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA, NT & WA.

Date markings

Use By 09/12/2021

Problem

The recall is due to non compliant labelling (incorrect printed Use By date). The printed Use By date of 09/12/2021 is incorrect. The correct Use By date is 16/09/2021.

Food safety hazard

The food may cause illness if consumed after 16/09/2021.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Consumers should not eat this product after the 16/09/2021 and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Barossa Fine Foods Customer Service

(08) 8255 3900 / qa@barossafinefoods.com.au

https://www.barossafinefoods.com.au/​​​​

The following is the latest media release from the Food Safety Information Council and is included here with permission.

Spring is here – 5 food safety tips for growing your own fruit and vegetables

Spring is the time we like to get out into the garden especially as we might have more time for gardening during lockdown. It’s  great to grow your own veggies, fruit and herbs as they are fresh and help our children understand where food comes from.

But the Food Safety Information Council is reminding people that you need to make sure your homegrown produce doesn’t get contaminated with food poisoning bugs and make you sick. Council Chair, Cathy Moir, said that you can avoid food poisoning risks by following these 5 simple food safety tips:

1. Don’t let animals poop on your food plants. Keep your pets and chooks away from your veggie garden so they cannot poop on or around the food plants and be aware of trees and bushes overhanging your garden as bird droppings might  contaminate your fruit or veggies. There have been food poisoning outbreaks traced back to bird droppings and contamination from other animals and pests.
2. Compost safely. Veggies need lots of nutrients but make sure any compost is well composted as the heat generated by the composting process not only kills any weed seeds but also helps kill food poisoning bacteria. Prevent easy access to your compost bin by vermin and pests like mice and rats, which can spread disease, and don’t compost meat scraps which can attract vermin. You can also use reputable commercial compost and fertiliser mixes.
3. Use clean water. If you want to recycle ‘grey’ water from the washing machine water it will contain microbes so don’t put it on to the edible parts of fruit, vegetables or herbs growing in the garden. Also, water from the washing up or dishwasher may have too much fat and other solids which can be bad for plant growth. Only use water you would drink directly on your fruit and vegetables.
4. Locate your veggie beds in a safe spot. Locate your veggie patch and herbs in a convenient spot but choose a site away from potential hazards. For example, if you have an older building, avoid using soil that could have been contaminated by scrapings of lead paint from many years ago or soil close to the street where it might have been contaminated by leaded petrol. A recent Macquarie University study found about one-fifth of vegetable gardens across Australia are likely to produce food with unsafe lead levels. Preferably grow your veggies in a raised bed with new soil and away from the house or septic tanks.
5. Follow instructions on garden chemicals. Weeds, bugs and fungi enjoy the Spring too. Minimise the use of garden chemicals like pesticides and herbicides and make sure you follow the directions on the label exactly. Don’t spray other areas of the garden in windy conditions in case the spray drifts onto fruit and vegetables. Some chemicals will have withholding periods you must follow before you harvest any fruit or vegetables that have been sprayed.

‘Remember after gardening to always wash your hands with soap and running water and dry them thoroughly as soil is likely to contain microbes – use a nailbrush to remove dirt from your fingernails. Don’t forget to wash and dry your fruit and vegetables before eating, too. Whole fruits and vegetables will be contaminated by soil on the surface. Scrubbing and washing them just before eating, under clean running water, will remove loose soil and may remove many bacteria and viruses, as can removal of the skin. If you are elderly, pregnant or have a poor immune system choose fruit and vegetables that are easy to clean and avoid curly leaf herbs and vegetables or rock melons that have a netted surface,’ Ms Moir concluded.

Note: Macquarie Uni study https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/may-2021/vegesafe

Media contact:

Lydia Buchtmann, Food Safety Information Council, 0407 626 688 or info@foodsafety.asn.au

So RUOK?

I know that this is supposed to be a blurb about some food , and specifically food safety thing but with RUOK? Day rapidly approaching and in this time of increased stress in our new COVID world, it’s time to ask the question, and for you to ask it of others as well, – are you okay?

For many food businesses, the world has dramatically changed in two years from hopefully profitable and growing to trying to figuring out day to day how to keep the lights on and staff working. This is not only financially difficult but mentally as well, so it is really important that those of us in the food industry regularly keep checking that our fellow foodies are OK.

The RUOK? website recommends that when asking RUOK? you follow four steps;

1. Ask the question – do this in a quiet place and maybe having a cuppa or during a break so there are no distractions. Mean it when you ask it.
2. Listen to whatever they say and don’t judge – some may open up and others won’t but don’t pressure them. Be interested. Keep whatever they say to yourself
3. Suggest they could talk to others who may be able to help them if they need it – like Beyond Blue or Lifeline or the Red Cross, relevant government departments as examples.
4. Follow up some time later to see how they are going

In this time when there is little stability and we can’t be certain whether we will be having that party next week or going to that wedding or attending the funeral of a loved one or going on that holiday because we just do not know day to day if further COVID restrictions will be imposed to stop us from living our usual life, mental health is being impacted.

It is the time to be gentle with each other and to regular ask others around us RUOK?, whether we are in the food industry or even in our circle of friends and family. Have the conversation, it can’t hurt.

For more information about RUOK? Day go to https://www.ruok.org.au/

Back in 2015 AusIndustry and Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) were contracted by the Australian Food and Grocery Council to undertake a project to look at auditing and auditors within the food industry, with a focus on gaps for businesses and costs.

Challenges to the industry were identified, including;

• Auditor availability,particularly with competencies across all food sectors
• Auditing timeframes are being increased so compliance frequencies are being impacted
• Costs of audits
• Audit compliance
• Food Safety Auditor age is increasing and therefore retirements are increasing which is resulting in a loss of numbers, knowledge, experience and skill
• Increased workload on auditors due to decreased numbers, which is causing stress and potential health issues.
• Auditor skills and knowledge has to be constantly updated due to new standards or changes in current standards
•  Auditing is not seen as a clear career choice but rather happening after other positions
• COVID has created a need for virtual audits and the technology and skills for this need to be learnt and used by auditors, as well as being revised as changes  come through.
• There has been little work on developing a clear pathway for the development of auditors

Based on these identified challenges, FIAL is working with stakeholders across the food industry to develop a program to address them. The program will include specific actions for;

• Developing a recognised career path for auditors with the industry and universities
• Encouraging younger people from the industry to pursue food auditing
• Supporting auditors with developing and maintaining technical and other skills

For more information contact Fiona Fleming at the AIFST – aifst@aifst.com.au

The following is from a media release from the Food Safety Information Council to recognise National Science Week 2021 and is included here with permission.

To celebrate National Science Week 14 to 22 August 2021 with the theme ‘Food Different by Design’ the Food Safety Information Centre has launched an online Learning Centre that provides a link for educators and the community to access resources to help learn more about food safety.

The Learning Centre is just the thing for teachers and also families in lockdown who want to learn how to prepare food safely. You can find out what the bacteria and viruses are which cause food poisoning, what foodborne disease is and how to reduce your risk of getting food poisoning.

Have fun by testing how well you have washed your hands by using the Glitterbug machine that uses UV light.

You can watch our simple videos on food safety advice on YouTube We also have a range of educational resources you can download and print out including handwashing correctly, how to use a cooking thermometer, the temperature danger zone and basic food safety messages.

You can access the Food Safety Information Council online Learning Centre at https://foodsafety.asn.au/topic/food-safety-learning-centre/

There is also more National Science Week information on our member the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology’s Australian Agrifood Science Portal

The following is a current recall notice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is included here with permission.

Leggo’s Fresh Napoli Sauce 

​​​​​Date published: 10 August 2021

Product information

Patties Foods Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Leggo’s Fresh Napoli Sauce with Tomato, Garlic, Basil & Oregano 250g. The product has been available for sale at Woolworths nationwide.

Date markings

USE BY 02/10/2021 ​

Problem

The recall is due to the potential presence of foreign matter (metal & plastic).

Food safety hazard

Food products containing metal and plastic may cause illness/injury if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Consumers should not eat this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Patties Foods Pty Ltd

1800 650 069 / info@patties.com.au

www.pattiesfoods.com.au ​

The following are two new product recall notices from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and are included here with permission.

Conroy’s Smallgoods Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of various products. The products have been available for sale at wholesalers and independent retail stores including IGA in SA and NT.

• Kabana R/W Use By 01/09/21
• Kabana 250g Use By 08/09/21
• Conroys Cooked Leg on Bone – half R/W Use By 25/08/21
• Conroy’s Third Ham on the Bone full leg cut into three Use By 10/08/21
• Cooked leg on bone thirds R/W plain wrap Use By 10/08/21

Problem

The recall is due to potential microbial contamination due to routine food safety checks being unable to verify the safety of the manufacturing process for these products.

Food safety hazard

Food products contaminated with pathogens may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do

Consumers should not eat these products. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Conroy’s Smallgoods Pty Ltd

08 8346 5821

Jordan River Dates 1kg & 5kg

Date published: 5 August 2021

Product information

Picky Eaters Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Jordan River dates 1kg and 5kg. The product has been available for sale online and at IGA and Independent supermarkets in NSW.

Date markings

Expiry date: June 2022

Batch: JRD 1/2021

Problem

The recall is due to potential microbial (Hepatitis A) contamination.

Food safety hazard

Food products contaminated with Hepatitis A may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Jordan

What to do

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Picky Eaters Pty Ltd

0424 727 100

Picky.Eaters@yahoo.com

The following is a new food product recall  and is included here with permission from Food Standard Australia New Zealand.

Date published: 4 August 2021

Product information

Sapro Australia is conducting a recall of a variety of Koo brand vegetable products:

Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce; Butter Beans in Flavoured Brine; Butter Beans in Tomato Sauce; Corn Creamstyle Sweetcorn; Whole Kernel Sweetcorn in Brine; Mixed Vegetables in Hot Curry Sauce; Mixed Vegetables in Curry Sauce; Mixed Vegetables in Brine; Baked Beans in Chilli Sauce.

The products have been available for sale at independent food retailers nationwide.

Date markings

Date of Manufacture from 1/5/2019 up to and including 5/5/2021.

Problem

The recall is due to potential microbial contamination as a result of a canning failure.

Food safety hazard

Food products with potential microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

South Africa

What to do​

Consumers should not eat this product and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

For further information please contact:

Sapro Australia
0414070564
www.saproaustralia.com.au

Folic Acid fortification in New Zealand

New Zealand has joined Australia with the requirement for wheat flour intended for bread making to be fortified with folic acid.

In 2009 Australia introduced the requirement, which has since resulted in a 74% decrease in neural tube defects in Indigenous populations across the country.

The requirement has been voluntary in New Zealand since 2014 and will be mandatory from mid 2023.

It is estimated by the New Zealand Government that this introduction will prevent up to 240 neural tube defects over the next 30 years

More information is available on the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industry website.

Sports Foods Standard review

Standard 2.9.4 – Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods of the Food Standards Code has not been reviewed in about 20 years and with the changes that have happened in the sports industry, it is time for a review.

This Standard is focussed on the special purpose foods which are intended to help specific nutritional or performance goals be achieved by sporting people.

.FSANZ is currently calling for data on the composition of sports foods as part of Standard review.

To have an input into the review go to the Food Standards website.