Presentation by Kerry Bell from Safe Food Queensland

Kerry Bell – Manager, Standards – Safe Food Production Qld. 

Kerry is currently Manager, Food Standards for Safe Food Production Qld which is a statutory authority of the Qld Government. Kerry has had an extensive career in food standards and food safety and was previously Principal Adviser on food matters to the Minister for Health. He has been responsible for the development and introduction of a range of food regulatory arrangements, including the new Food Act and the Food Safety scheme for eggs. Kerry is currently managing the development of the new Food Safety Schemes for Seafood and Plant Products in Queensland. Kerry represents Queensland on many food standards development committees, including the national Implementation Sub-Committee and the Meat Standards Committee.

What is Safe Food Queensland?

Safe Food Queensland is a State Government initiative, established to ensure the reliability and safety of the Queensland food chain.

Its task is twofold:
– to ensure that Queensland’s food production systems meet national food safety standards
– to ensure that consumers have confidence in the food produced in this State.

The AAQ operates a food safety program in partnership with Safe Food Queensland.

1 – What is a food safety scheme?

2 – Why do we need food safety scheme for seafood?

Today, most people know very little about the production or source of the food they eat. They are increasingly skeptical about the integrity of their food supply. Reports of food poisoning, pesticide residues, polluted waterways and animal welfare issues all fuel the growing negative attitudes towards food supply and emphasize the increasing risk in the production of safe food. These perceptions and hazards have led to greater scrutiny of food systems and the regulations to ensure safety in production, packaging, transport and distribution. 

As a direct result of these increasing community concerns and growing regulatory requirements, the AAQ, along with Safe food Queensland has taken steps to ensure its members become safe, quality food providers. 

Andrew Bray, AAQ’s food safety project manager, will run through what steps have been taken over the past 12 months, the tests that have been carried out and the results that came from those tests. He will also look ahead to where the AAQ wants the Food safety program to be in the future, the benefits it will give to the members involved in the program and the costs associated with continued testing and auditing.