Audit results across the dairy supply chain remain relatively consistent as of 9 July (year to date) compared to 2023. The number of audits conducted is on par with the same period in 2023, totalling 175 audits (YTD) spanning dairy farms, transport and processing.
Within this scope, 25 major non-conformances have been identified. Additionally, Dairysafe has investigated 20 incidents involving notifiable contaminants during this period.
Between 1 January and 9 July 2024, 116 farm audits were completed, resulting in the identification of six major non-conformances related to farm environment, stock treatments, milk cooling, internal audit, and corrective action. These findings relate to a small number of farms and do not reflect the continued high standards observed at SA dairy farms in maintaining exceptional milk safety and quality standards.
Processor audits conducted during the same period totalled 55, revealing 22 major non-conformances covering GHP, HACCP, maintenance, labelling and traceability, cleaning and sanitation and pasteurisation.
There have also been four audits of transport companies with no non-conformances recorded.
Regarding export audits, the first round of biannual food safety audits for export-registered dairy processors was completed, totalling 24 audits.
Overall, 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.
Addressing trends in notifiable contaminant data, several proactive measures have been initiated:
- An article on managing antibiotic residues features in Dairysafe’s e-news.
- Notifiable contaminants continue to be managed under Dairysafe’s Risk Assessment Framework.
Commencing 1 July 2024, dairy processor training on the three primary notifiable contaminants will be available for dairy processors. Click the link and follow the steps to set up an account to access and complete the courses.