Across December and January, 15 audits were completed by the Dairysafe team. January was also an opportunity to finalise the audit schedule for the year, with bookings filling rapidly into March and beyond.
Of the 15 audits completed, five major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and 17 minor CARs were issued.
Export audits have temporarily reverted to DAFF while Dairysafe continues to build internal capability.
Incidents since December
A total of five incidents were recorded across January and February. These were attributed to:
- Unauthorised activity
- Microbial detection in product
- Antibiotic residues
- Microbial detection in product
- Environmental microbial detection
The nature of these incidents reinforces the importance of strong onsite controls, robust verification programs, and consistent operator training.
Emerging trends
Several themes are becoming increasingly visible across audits and incident reviews:
- HACCP and Food Safety Program gaps remain the most common drivers of nonconformance.
- Microbial detections, both in product and environment, suggest opportunities for improved sanitation verification and environmental monitoring.
- Knowledge and competency in applying the Compendium of Microbiological Criteria for Food requirements varies significantly across operators.
- Cultural maturity in food safety is inconsistent, with some sites demonstrating strong ownership while others are relying heavily on reactive compliance.
These trends will help shape our focus areas for the remainder of the year.
New accreditations
There have been no new accreditations issued during this period. The only notable change is Golden North’s transition into the former Beston’s Murray Bridge site. The business has signalled its intention to recommission the cheese processing plant and pursue export opportunities. We look forward to seeing the continued progression of this iconic South Australian brand and the revitalisation of a historically significant site.
2026 Schedule
As we progress into 2026, the team is moving forward with a clear objective: to meet audit timelines, to actively identify systemic gaps and to support industry in strengthening food safety performance.
Key priorities include:
- Deepening industry understanding of HACCP principles.
- Strengthening Food Safety Program competency.
- Improving application and interpretation of the Compendium of Microbiological Criteria for Food.
- Supporting the development of a robust food safety culture across all accredited businesses.
The schedule for March is heavily booked, indicating a busy and productive start to the year. This momentum positions us well to deliver on our regulatory responsibilities while continuing to build constructive, capability focused relationships with stakeholders.