Benchmark for certifying food safety auditors

Australia has a new, national benchmark for certifying food safety auditors.

The National Food Safety Auditor Scheme was developed through the National Food Industry Strategy's Food Safety and Quality Systems Initiative aimed at improving Australia's food safety auditing infrastructure.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry had worked with RABQSA International, industry and regulators to develop the scheme as well as new food safety training standards.

In launching the scheme at the recent ABARE Outlook conference, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Sussan Ley, said food safety auditors will, for the first time, be required to undertake national food safety auditor competency-based training.

"The national alignment of training and certifying food safety auditors will provide industry and regulators with increased confidence in the audit process and outcome," Ms Ley said.

For further information, contact Vikki Fischer on (02) 6272 4876 or email foodinteg@daff.gov.au

Item provided courtesy of National Food Industry Strategy