Dairysafe completed 271 audits across South Australian dairy farms, transporters and processors in 2024. Audit data confirms high levels of industry compliance, consistent with 2023.
From the audits completed in 2024, 37 major and 6 minor Corrective Action Requests were raised. Dairysafe worked actively with these businesses to ensure suitable corrective and preventative actions were implemented and maintained. The willingness of industry to respond and continually improve is illustrated by all requests being actioned within approved timeframes.
181 farm audits were completed in 2024, resulting in 12 major Corrective Action Requests being raised for elements such as farm environment, stock treatments, milk cooling, internal audit and corrective action. These findings relate to a small number of farms (4) and are not reflective of the overall high standards maintained at SA dairy farms.
Food safety audits for all export-registered dairy processing establishments were completed by Dairysafe on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries.
85 processor audits were performed during 2024, resulting in 25 major Corrective Action Requests being raised across 14 businesses, for elements including HACCP, Good Hygienic Practices, maintenance, labelling & traceability, cleaning & sanitation, and pasteurisation.
5 milk transport companies have been audited without any Corrective Action Requests being raised.
Dairysafe also investigated 37 events involving notifiable contaminants and 6 complaints throughout 2024.
Overall, food safety standards in the SA dairy sector remain commendably high, with no reported instances of pathogens in dairy products at retail level, no presence of antibiotic residue in finished dairy goods, and no critical non-conformances identified.
The early response by businesses to emerging issues as they arose, and the adaption of processes to maintain the high compliance rates across the dairy supply chain has been heartening. It demonstrates awareness of the importance of constant surveillance and the continued introduction of higher standards.