Foodwise Spring

Foodwise

Welcome to the quarterly newsletter from the NSW Food Authority, with the latest information for the NSW food industry.

Highlights in this edition include:

• Food Regulation 2025 now in effect
• changes made to Food Standards Code
• NSW Food Safety Scheme Manual updated
• New guidance: Managing Salmonella Enteritidis
• new food safety requirements for horticulture

Is there something you’d like to see in Foodwise? Let us know at food.contact@dpird.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 552 406. 

NSW Food Regulation 2025 now in effect

The NSW Food Authority has updated the NSW Food Regulation – the state legislation underpinning its work to ensure food produced and sold in NSW is safe.

The Food Authority must regularly review the Regulation to ensure it remains contemporary and fit for purpose.

Following public consultation in November 2024, the Regulation was remade with amendments and is now in effect.

For full details, see Food Regulation 2025.

NSW Food Safety Schemes Manual updated

Under the new Food Regulation 2025, food businesses must let the Food Authority know verbally within 24 hours and in writing within 48 hours if a food sample that has failed set microbiological standards.

The NSW Food Safety Schemes Manual has been updated to reflect these changes.

For more information, including a summary of all changes, see Food Safety Schemes Manual.

Changes made to Food Standards Code

Changes were recently gazetted to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, including:

• mandating energy labelling on alcoholic beverages from August 2028
• allowing pet cats and dogs in aircraft cabins when food is served
• adding new definitions for genetically modified foods.

The changes followed a 25 July 2025 meeting of Australian and New Zealand Food Ministers, in which the ministers cleared the way for the changes. For the full meeting outcomes, see Food Ministers’ Meeting communiqué – 25 July 2025. 

Alternative compliance now digitised

A new online form is available for businesses to apply to use an alternative compliance method.

Alternative compliance enables businesses to apply to use different food safety control measures to those established by the Food Standards Code.

Businesses using alternative methods without approval risk being found non-compliant.

For more information, see Alternative compliance.  

Fine Food Awards

Smallgood and charcuterie product manufacturers battled it out to be named the state’s best at the recent Sydney Royal Fine Food Show— Smallgoods & Charcuterie Competition.

Rodriguez Bros won the Food Authority Annual Trophy with its Butifarra White Pudding, which was named Champion Other Charcuterie Product.

The Sydney Royal Fine Food Shows are one of Australia's most respected, world-class awards program.

All exhibitors receive valuable feedback from judges, while medal artwork on winning products is a key marketing tool.

See Smallgoods & Charcuterie for the full results.

Check out free events for Small Business Month

October is NSW Small Business Month - a month-long program of free and low-cost events for small businesses.

Events range from informative webinars and practical workshops through to casual networking get togethers.

See NSW Small Business Month October 2025 for details.

Save the date: Hornsby information session

Join representatives from the Food Authority and Hornsby Shire Council for a free Retail and Food Service Information Session on Tuesday 28 October.

Designed to help local retail food businesses ensure the food they sell is safe to eat, the session will include presentations on common food safety topics, as well as open discussion to share information and ideas.

When: Tuesday 28 October 2025, 9am-12.30pm
Where: Hornsby RSL Club, 4 High Street, Hornsby NSW 2077
Register via Eventbrite.

New seafood country of origin rules

Restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses need to comply with new country of origin labelling rules from 1 July 2026.

The Food Authority understands NSW Fair Trading will regulate the new requirements, which apply under Australian Consumer Law.

Businesses will need to label seafood dishes using the AIM labelling system - A for Australian, I for imported or M for mixed origin - in a way that is obvious to customers before they order.

The rules apply to seafood dishes served for immediate consumption, regardless of whether the food is eaten on the premises, takeaway or delivered.

For more, see Country of origin labelling for seafood in hospitality.

Authorised officer training wraps up for the year

A new cohort of local government environmental health officers are equipped to conduct food surveillance under the Food Act 2003 (NSW) thanks to our latest round of authorised officer training.

Before appointing an authorised officer to conduct food safety inspections, local councils must be satisfied the person has the appropriate qualifications or experience. 

Our authorised officer food surveillance course comprises 12 online training modules and a one-day face-to-face workshop where participants hear from the Food Authority experts, and complete practical learning and assessment.

Environmental health students awarded 

Three environmental health students at Western Sydney University (WSU) were recently recognised for their high achievements with NSW Food Authority Food Regulation Partnership (FRP) Prizes.

The Food Authority provides the prizes to support Western Sydney University and encourage students studying a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health). Award winners were:

• Gina Herrmann - food safety prize 
• Gilbert Luong - best food safety project
• Courtney Thomas - FRP Prize.

Inspections and audits

Between July 2024 and June 2025, the Food Authority conducted 3,121 audits and inspections of licensed meat businesses. The industry maintained its strong performance, achieving a 95% compliance rate. These activities represent a critical element of the overall risk mitigation framework and will continue to be a strategic priority in FY 2025-26. 

The below table shows comparable data for compliance activity in the meat sector between 2023-24 and 2024-25. 

Meat Industry Consultative Council

The Meat Industry Consultative Council met via video conference on Wednesday, 30 July 2025. Issues discussed at the meeting included:

• the federal government’s PigPass mobile app initiative
• implementation of poultry welfare standards
• compliance activities for the 2024-25 financial year
• electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats
• virtual fencing
• animal welfare reports.

For details, see the summary of outcomes report (PDF, 225 KB).

Manual for manufacturing UCFM in NSW updated

Under the new Food Regulation 2025, the Manual for manufacturing Uncooked Comminuted Fermented Meat (UCFM) in NSW (PDF, 365 KB) has been updated to improve clarity and strengthen compliance.

You can read the summary of changes here: Manual for manufacturing UCFM in NSW Summary of changes (September 2025) (PDF, 145 KB)

Meat Industry Levy Regulation commenced

The Meat Industry (Meat Industry Levy) Regulation 2016 has been remade with administrative amendments following public consultation earlier this year. 

The Meat Industry Levy Regulation 2025 supports the Meat Industry Act 1978, which requires meat producers in NSW to contribute a levy to partially fund the Food Authority’s work to ensure food safety in the meat supply chain.  

There is no change in the Meat Industry Levy Regulation 2025 to the levy rate or maximum levy payable by producers.

Learn more on the Meat Industry Levy Regulation 2025 webpage.

Australia free of H5N1 avian influenza

The Food Authority thanks the 733 poultry licensees who proactively updated their information as part of the Department’s H5N1preparedness project.

The project sought to validate and update information about poultry and egg businesses to ensure any future emergency response was informed by accurate information and data. 

Australia is currently free of the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is causing significant wildlife and commercial poultry losses elsewhere around the globe.

If you haven’t yet updated your details, please do so by using the secure link sent to the facility contact or email bfs.admin@dpird.nsw.gov.au

Inspections and audits

From July 2024 to June 2025, the Food Authority conducted 198 audits and inspections of licensed seafood businesses. The 94% compliance result was a 1% decrease on the previous year. Food Authority officers continue to provide guidance and education to improve compliance outcomes. 

 The table below compares seafood sector compliance data for 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

New pro forma for alternative source water  

We’ve developed a new pro forma for shellfish processing businesses to apply for approval to use an alternative water source to open oysters.

Approved businesses will be permitted to use ultraviolet (UV) treated water sourced from formally classified shellfish harvest areas in the open status. Water sourced from unclassified or closed shellfish harvest areas will not be permitted.

As part of the application, businesses need to validate their proposed alternative method and agree to ongoing verification testing.

For more information, see Source Water Alternative Procedure (SWAP) Pro Forma (PDF, 682 KB) and well as an example of how to complete it (PDF, 764 KB).

Inspections and audits

In 2024–25, 415 audits and inspections were conducted across licensed dairy businesses. Sector compliance with food safety program requirements declined by 6% when compared to 2023–24 - compliance sits at 93%. The Food Authority continues its risk-based audit and inspection calendar for licensed food businesses, where frequency and scope of monitoring may be adjusted in response to emerging risks and priorities. Complaints, inspections, and investigations relating to dairy businesses will remain managed on an as-needed basis. 

The below table compares 2023-24 and 2024-25 dairy sector compliance data. 

Dairy Industry Consultative Committee

The NSW Dairy Industry Consultative Committee met via video conference on Wednesday 18 June 2025. Issues discussed include:

• Dairy Australia update
• food safety compliance results
• animal welfare update
• Food Regulation 2025 update.

For details, see the summary of meeting outcomes report (PDF, 213 KB).

Inspections and audits

From July 2024 to June 2025, the Food Authority conducted 439 audits and inspections of licensed egg businesses.  

The Food Authority is focusing on supporting industry to meet Salmonella Enteritis testing obligations. Compliance activities are ongoing and continue to serve as an essential component of broader risk mitigation strategies. 

The below table compares 2023-24 and 2024-25 eggs sector compliance data. 

Egg Industry Consultative committee

The last Egg Industry Consultative Committee (the Committee) was held on 20 August 2025. Issues discussed include:

• egg stamping exemptions for small producers
• NSW Food Regulation 2025 update
• Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) vaccine
• composting as a response to emergency disease outbreaks
• animal welfare and food safety compliance updates.

For details, see the summary of meeting outcomes report (PDF, 226 KB).

New guidance: Managing Salmonella Enteritidis

Permanent requirements for licensed egg producers to manage food safety risks arising from Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) are now a condition of licence under the NSW Food Regulation 2025. Required measures reflect existing biosecurity and food safety guidelines for egg production and include mandatory SE testing.

Producers who do not comply could face significant penalties, including improvement notices and fines.

A guideline is available to help all licensed egg producers in NSW comply:

• How to comply with Schedule 8 – control of Salmonella Enteritidis (PDF, 2.8 MB).

The recently updated NSW egg monitoring diary (PDF, 934 KB) is also available to help egg producers meet their obligations.

Inspections and audits

From July 2024 to June 2025, 142 audits and inspections were undertaken across licensed plant product businesses. The Food Authority is directing resources toward targeted strategies, including education initiatives and a poor performer program, to address key high-risk issues. 

The table below compares plant products sector compliance data for 2023-24 and 2024-25. 

New food safety requirments for horticulture

New requirements for berry, leafy vegetable and melon growers and primary processors businesses apply in NSW from 12 February 2026.

We are continuing to work on the administrative arrangements associated with the national requirements, which apply under the NSW Food Regulation.

Berry, leafy vegetable and melon businesses do not need to do anything yet.

We encourage berry, leafy vegetable and melon businesses to join our horticulture mailing list to be informed of any updates.

Inspections and audits

Between July 2024 and June 2025, there were 1,235 audits and inspections of licensed hospitals and aged care facilities. Compliance remained strong at 99%. 

This consistently high result reflects the sector’s well-established systems and highlights that food safety practices and operational standards continue to be maintained at an excellent level. 

The table below compares vulnerable persons sector compliance data for 2023-24 and 2024-25. 

NSW Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme Consultative Committee

The NSW Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme Consultative Committee met via video conference on Wednesday 6 August 2025. Issues discussed include:

• aged care residents preparing their own food
• food safety compliance activities
• food grazing platters for dementia patients.

For full details, see the meeting outcomes summary report (PDF, 211 KB).

Inspections and audits

Third-party auditors (TPAs) conducted 312 audits between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2025. Audits across the 6 industry sectors averaged 3.33 hours per audit, with 1,040.50 audit hours over 312 audits. All audits attained an acceptable outcome. 

The table below outlines the results across the sectors serviced by TPAs. 

Help to calculate nutrient profile 

A Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) tool is available to help manufacturers determine whether a food is eligible to carry a health claim under Standard 1.2.7 of the Food Standards Code.  

Health claims refer to a relationship between a food and a health effect, such as 'calcium for healthy bones and teeth'.   

The Nutrient Profiling Scoring Calculator helps assess risk components of the food, such as saturated fat, sugars and sodium, as well as beneficial components like fruit, vegetables, fibre, nuts, legumes and protein, to produce an overall score. 

A food’s score must meet the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion threshold to carry a general or high-level health claim. 

Processes

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is seeking submissions on an application to permit phosphoinositide PLC from genetically modified Bacillus lichenformis as a processing aid in degumming of fats and oils. Submissions are due by 11:59pm Tuesday 30 September 2025 through the FSANZ Consultation Hub.

Calendar items

• Global Handwashing Day - 15 October
• Retail and Food Service Information Session – Hornsby Shire Council – 28 October
• Australian Food Safety Week 'Don't swallow the myth - Food safety myth busting' - 8-15 November

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