Congratulations to the Mitani Group, who was named the winner of the 2024 Food Safety Culture Award at the SA Dairy Awards on Friday night. Mitani was selected from a pool of three finalists which also included Gelista and MOO Premium Foods.
The Food Safety Culture Award is now in its fourth year and is the only one in Australia that acknowledges food safety culture in the food industry.
This year, the award focused on businesses that have made remarkable progress in improving food safety culture. This includes how the process commenced, taking everyone in the business along the culture journey, successes and challenges along the way, the rewards, and the focus and plans going forward.
Each of the nominees was required to demonstrate through management, staff, and supplier behaviour, that all aspects of their business have a commitment to food safety, and they consistently show it in what they do every day.
“A positive food safety culture that prioritises people is essential for ensuring food safety. It is also crucial for achieving better investment returns, improving business performance, reducing costs associated with poor quality, and enhancing overall efficiency,” said Geoff Raven, CEO of Dairysafe.
“The Judging Panel was thoroughly impressed by Mitani’s transformational changes and unwavering commitment to food safety. Mitani strategically plans programs and processes to develop and maintain a robust food safety culture, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment aligned with the company’s overall goals.
“They have a clear focus on open and transparent communication, accountability, and the capability to quickly respond and adapt to changes, ensuring that everyone at Mitani plays a role in ensuring food safety.
“Congratulations to each of the three finalists in the 2024 Food Safety Culture Award. Each has impressed the Judging Panel with their approach to food safety culture and the experiences that have shaped their remarkable progress.”
The Mitani Group
Mitani is a private, family-owned food manufacturing company based in South Australia, established in 1979 but with a history dating back to 1954. In recent years, the Mitani Group has seen significant transformation under third-generation leadership, described as “a family of scientists” who are deeply committed to a positive food safety culture. They shifted from a large QA team to a model where everyone is responsible for food safety, fostering collaboration and empowerment.
Investments in infrastructure, cleaning, and people and culture demonstrate their dedication to continuous improvement. Mitani’s new change management system supports 20 ongoing improvement projects. Their journey emphasises creating a supportive workplace focused on food safety, which leads to collective success.
Gelista
When Gelista was founded 15 years ago, the Managing Director aimed to create an empowering culture of collaboration across all areas, including marketing, sales, and customer relations, extending naturally to food safety practices. Gelista’s pride in their product, commitment to innovation, and customer indulgence create their unique taste and texture. Strong leadership and respect for QA drive their food safety culture, supported by regular training and open discussions. They use communication tools for feedback, invest in process improvements, and conduct internal audits. Recognising contributions, Gelista remains committed to improving food safety, with staff champions leading the way.
MOO Premium Foods
MOO Premium Foods fosters a family-like environment with no hierarchical barriers, promoting respect and open communication. Employees feel empowered to make decisions and enjoy their roles. Over 19 years, MOO has grown to national and international markets. Management leads by example, with QA staff ensuring thorough checks before production. Responsibility for food safety is shared, enhancing accountability. ‘Leading Teams’ training and a ‘WhatsApp’ group for suggestions strengthen culture. Weekly floor meetings promote openness. MOO invests in culture and safety focusing on continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and collaborative change management.
