PrimeSafe eNews Edition 26

In this edition, we cover:

• Message from the CEO
• Changes to Management of Smallgoods
• Update on Food Safety Regulations
• Licence renewals for December 2025
• Prosecutions
• PrimeSafe Food Safety Programs templates

Message from the CEO

As we approach the festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the vital role PrimeSafe plays in ensuring food safety across our meat, seafood and pet meat industries.

Food safety is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a responsibility that impacts every business.

Dedication to maintaining the highest standards of food safety means families can enjoy all year round and especially this special time of year with confidence and peace of mind.

PrimeSafe continues to achieve to protect public health, build trust, and support the integrity of Victoria’s food supply chain. PrimeSafe will not hesitate to take strong regulatory action in the interests of public health.

PrimeSafe is also committed to reducing regulatory burden on industry where it is practical to do so. In this addition of eNews, we outline changes to the requirements for managing smallgoods. This will result in around $1.1 million savings to industry, year on year. Cumulatively initiatives to reduce regulatory burden by PrimeSafe over the last 3 years have seen savings totalling approximately $5.9 million.

PrimeSafe CEO

Michael Coffey

Changes to Management of Smallgoods

In mid-2025 meeting, PrimeSafe commissioned a review PrimeSafe’s licensing requirements in relation to smallgoods production.

An independent review was undertaken which reviewed aspects of PrimeSafe’s licensing requirements for smallgoods production.  The three particular areas reviewed included:

1. Approval and testing requirements for Uncooked Comminuted Fermented Meats (UCFM),
2. Listeria monocytogenes (LM) testing requirements for packaged ready-to-eat meats, and
3. Classification and testing requirements for meat products depending on whether they support the growth of LM.

The review examined public health records for these products.  PrimeSafe documents and practices were also evaluated and compared with recommendations from scientific/technical experts and international bodies as well as the practices of other Australian jurisdictions. The review found that, given current industry practice, a reduced testing requirement could meet the same food safety outcomes, while reducing the regulatory burden on manufacturers.

The changes come into effect on 1 January 2026 and include reduced testing frequency and sample numbers for Victorian smallgoods manufacturers, simplified application and approval processes, and clearer guidance materials for manufacturers.

There are nearly 300 smallgoods manufacturers in Victoria, producing cooked, dried, cured or otherwise processed meat products such as cooked sausages, salami, ham, sliced vacuum packed meat, lup chong, jerky, biltong, Strasburg, pâté and many others.  Each of these businesses will benefit from these changes.

Update on Food Safety Regulation in Victoria

A new independent regulator to be known as Safe Food Victoria will be established consolidating PrimeSafe, Dairy Food Safety Victoria and food safety functions from the Health Regulator and Agriculture Victoria. The intention is for Safe Food Victoria to be operational by mid-2026, reporting to the Minister for Agriculture. Reforms are proposed to be undertaken in two stages over the coming years. 

Engage Victoria

For further information and updates on upcoming changes, visit the Engage Victoria website.

Learn more

Licence Renewals for December 2025

The following licence categories are due for renewal before 30 December 2025;

• Retail Butcher Shop
• Seafood Retailers
• Further Seafood Processing Facilities – Processors and Wholesalers

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If you operate one these PrimeSafe licensed businesses, you must complete your licence renewals and payment by the due date to ensure continued operation.

To complete the renewal, you must:

1. Complete the renewal application

• Licence Portal users: Log in to the PrimeSafe Licensees Portal to complete your renewal online.

• Paper form users: Renewal forms were mailed to licensees without portal access. Complete the form and return it to PrimeSafe by the due date.

2. Pay the licence Fee

• If using the portal: Pay securely via credit card or BPAY, following the instructions provided during the renewal process.
• If using the paper form: Follow the payment instructions on the back of the renewal form.

3. Licence certificate now emailed (no hard copies)

Following the successful rollout in June 2025, PrimeSafe will now email licence certificates to all facility licensees.
Hard copy certificates will no longer be posted.
Make sure your email address is up to date to ensure prompt delivery.

If you have any questions about your renewal or need help accessing the Licensee Portal, please contact PrimeSafe on (03) 9685 7333 or email info@primesafe.vic.gov.au

Prosecutions

In December 2025, PrimeSafe laid two charges against a Melbourne based retail butcher shop licence holder.  These charges allege the unlawful use of a preservative in fresh meat products in contravention of the Food Standards Code.

PrimeSafe detected this alleged offending through its unannounced surveillance program which samples fresh meat for illegal preservative use. Under the Food Act, all food businesses in Victoria selling meat for human consumption must comply with the requirements of the Food Standards Code.  

PrimeSafe detected these offences through information from the public in the first matter, and through its unannounced surveillance program which samples fresh meat for illegal preservative use in the second case.

This is a timely reminder that operators must be aware of their obligations, including maintaining their premises in a sanitary state and presenting the food they sell as suitable and safe for consumption.

Anyone with information about non-compliant meat or seafood processing and sale should contact PrimeSafe at info@primesafe.vic.gov.au

PrimeSafe Food Safety Program templates

PrimeSafe has released downloadable Food Safety Program templates designed for businesses conducting low-risk processing of meat and seafood.

These templates are easy to use and provide a clear structure for developing your food safety program. Businesses must review and amend the templates to reflect their specific activities and ensure compliance with relevant standards.

You can access the templates by visiting the PrimeSafe website www.primesafe.vic.gov.au > Food Safety tab on the PrimeSafe homepage and navigating to Food Safety Programs.

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