Food Safety Audit results throughout the dairy supply chain are trending consistently as of 16 October (year to date) compared to 2023. The number of audits conducted is stable with the same period in 2023, totalling 240 audits (YTD) across dairy farms, transport and processing.

From these audits, 32 major and 5 minor non-conformances have been identified. Dairysafe has also investigated 29 events involving notifiable contaminants and 5 complaints during this period.

Between January 1 and October 16, 2024, a total of 164 farm audits were conducted. These audits revealed 10 major non-conformances (0 for the same period in 2023) in areas such as farm environment, stock treatments, milk cooling, internal audit, and corrective action. These findings are specific to a small number of farms (3) and should not be taken as a reflection of the overall high standards maintained at SA dairy farms in ensuring exceptional milk safety and quality.

Processor audits conducted during the same period totalled 70, revealing 22 major non-conformances across 13 businesses, involving GHP, HACCP, maintenance, labelling and traceability, cleaning and sanitation, and pasteurisation.

There have also been 6 audits of transport companies, with no non-conformances identified.

The second round of biannual food safety audits for export-registered dairy processors is proceeding.

Audit data demonstrates SA dairy food safety standards remain commendably high, with no reported instances of pathogens in dairy products at the retail level, no presence of antibiotic residue in finished dairy goods, and no critical non-conformances identified.

In response to notifiable contaminant data trends, Dairysafe has developed and released 3 free training courses, containing 12 learning modules supporting dairy processors to understand and control E. coli, Listeria and CP Staph.

To access the courses, click the link and follow the steps to set up an account: https://training.dairy-safe.com.au/login