PrimeSafe eNews Edition 25

In this edition, we cover:

• Publication of Food Safety Plans on the website.
• Licensee Survey Feedback.
• The Future of Food Safety Regulation in Victoria
• PrimeSafe Corporate Plan for 2025-2030
• Unannounced Surveillance Verification Program
• MTV Body Builder Accreditation

Publication of Food Safety Plans on the website.

PrimeSafe will soon release food safety program templates designed specifically for low-risk meat and seafood processing activities intended for retailers. These practical, easy-to-use templates will be available for downloading from the PrimeSafe website, supporting new licensees and existing licensed businesses who wish to use these programs to assist them in managing food safety.

All food businesses using the PrimeSafe FSP templates are reminded that, whilst these templates provide a helpful starting point, it is essential that each food safety program accurately reflects individual facility’s processes and procedures and are made site-specific. Customisation and regular review of your food safety program are key to demonstrating compliance and ensuring food safety.

Stay tuned for the official release of PrimeSafe Food Safety Program templates shortly.

For additional information on food safety, visit the PrimeSafe website at www.primesafe.vic.gov.au or click [here].

Licensee Survey Feedback.

In 2024, PrimeSafe conducted an independent survey, engaging a statistically representative sample of licensees from all licence categories to gather feedback on its communication, support services, and regulatory functions. This research builds on similar surveys carried out in 2018 and 2020.

• Overall satisfaction with PrimeSafe remains high from the recent survey, with 81% of licensees reporting a positive experience, and 84% agreeing that PrimeSafe contributes to improving food safety in the industry.
• Awareness of PrimeSafe’s core functions in licensing, auditing, and compliance remains strong, and over 70% of licensees are aware of our communication services. However, only 10% of respondents use these services regularly, highlighting an opportunity to improve engagement.
• Half of respondents were unaware of PrimeSafe’s free food safety programs, suggesting the need for greater outreach and awareness-raising activities.
• Licensees expressed a desire for more tailored information and sector-specific support, particularly in the areas of audit expectations, regulatory updates, and supply chain insights.

PrimeSafe would like to thank all licensees who participated in the survey. The valuable feedback provided will play a key role in enhancing PrimeSafe’s communication strategy and the support services we deliver.

The Future of Food Safety Regulation in Victoria

The Victorian Government is establishing a new independent food safety regulator in Victoria. Learn more and stay updated by visiting www.engage.vic.gov.au/foodsafety

PrimeSafe Corporate Plan for 2025-2030

PrimeSafe has published its new Corporate Plan, outlining key objectives and performance measures for the period 2025 to 2030. The plan focuses on regulatory compliance and the overarching goal of ensuring food safety across the meat, seafood, and pet meat industries.

To access the PrimeSafe Corporate Plan, please visit the PrimeSafe website www.primesafe.vic.gov.au or click on this [link].

Unannounced Surveillance Verification Program

In 2023, PrimeSafe implemented an Unannounced Surveillance Verification Program. The intent of the program was to support the reduced third-party audit arrangements that were implemented at that time, to assess compliance with Critical Control Points and licensing requirements at licensed meat and seafood businesses. In January 2024, the program was expanded to include additional licence types.

The program is now an ongoing feature of PrimeSafe’s surveillance activities. A sampling plan of 10% of businesses meeting the established criteria are scheduled for inspection. The program for the 2024-25 financial year identified Major or Critical non-compliances at 11.6% of these unannounced inspections. This compares to a non-compliance rate of 4.1% at scheduled third-party audits during the same period.

The program also includes sampling of fresh meat for the presence of SO² in fresh meat. Two facilities were identified using SO² in fresh meat in breach of the Food Standards Code and were issued with sanctions during this 12-month period. Since 2004, PrimeSafe has conducted 7732 sampling inspections with 73 positive detections (0.94%).

MTV Body builder accreditation with PrimeSafe.

Transport vehicle body builders seeking accreditation with PrimeSafe as a Meat Transport Vehicle Body Builder must formally submit an application in writing to PrimeSafe.

A key requirement is that the meat-carrying compartment of the vehicle must comply with the construction standards described in Australian Standard AS 4696. This ensures that vehicles are designed and built to maintain the wholesomeness of meat during transport.

In addition to meeting the construction standards, there are other criteria that businesses must satisfy as part of the accreditation process. For detailed information on all requirements, contact PrimeSafe at info@primesafe.vic.gov.au