A free online training program is available to train food service staff.
This has been launched by the National Allergy Strategy- a partnership between Australia's peak allergy bodies.
​The free online training "Allabout Allergens" is available at www.foodallergytraining.org.au covers:

• Common food allergens
• Issues for allergen maangement
• avoiding cross contamination
• managing allergen enquiries from customers
• When things go wrong

Over 140 people have been affected by food poisoning, with 11 people hospitalized at West Wyalong Hospital , after eating some light refreshments after attending a  funeral wake.
The The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Public Health Unit ​ are assisting in investigations. 

A dirty kitchen appliance used to blend and puree food has been blamed as the source of a salmonella outbreak at the Burnside War Memorial Hospital in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.
To date 16 people have become ill with a gastric illness.
"This is a very important time to give a warning out to all South Australians, but especially those in commercial kitchens, to make sure that their mixers are able to be properly cleaned, that there isn't food residue building up in parts of the mixer that can't be accessed." SA Health Minister Jack Snelling .
All food service businesses that prepare food using a blender, juicer, or vitamiser need to ensure the equipment is dismantled fully, and each part is cleaned, to be visibly clean, then sanitised by heat or  a chemical sanitiser.
Source ABC www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-28/salmonella-outbreak-blamed-on-stab-mixer/6809610

State and territory food enforcement agencies are investigating cases of Salmonella, possibly associated with rockmelon, following an increase in cases in a number of states in Australia.

While we wait for further information, the best advice is that consumers, especially infants, the elderly, pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems, should not consume rockmelon.

FSANZ will continue to work with the state and territory enforcement agencies and the Federal Department of Health and update its advice to consumers.
Further food safety advice regarding the safe preparation and storage of rockmelon can be found on the NSW Food Authority website. This contains advice on how to prepare rockmelons.

Information reproduced with permission of Food Standards Australia New Zealand​.

New South Wales Health reports over 40 people had gone to hospital since Saturday after consuming food believed to be from the Box Village Bakery, Sylvania NSW. One consumer had a emergency caesarean, giving birth to a baby 5 weeks early.  An area of St George hospital needed to be cordoned off to cope with the influx of chronically ill patients with acute gastro. The bakery will remain closed until an investigation into the incident is completed by the NSW Food Authority.
Information about food poisoning is available on the NSW Food Authority Website.
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/fp/food-poisoning with a fact sheet on Salmonella available from NSW Health able to be downloaded here.
Photo ninemsn

The ACCC has issued three infringement notices  against Uncle Toby Oat products for false and misleading claims. Cereal Partners Australia is the manufacturer and distributor of Uncle Tobys branded oats.

"Consumers should be able to purchase food products based on accurate health and composition claims ... Oats have many health benefits, [but] on their own they are not high in protein, contrary to the representations made about these Uncle Tobys products," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
​
Earlier this week, Arnott's Biscuits was penalised by the ACCC for using a "false comparator" to claim its Shapes Light & Crispy products had 75 per cent less saturated fat.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/uncle-tobys-oats-maker-penalised-by-accc-for-misleading-protein-superfood-claim-20151125-gl8bvu.html#ixzz3svdEBCsw 

Correct Food Systems can assist you by reviewing your  artwork and labelling claims.

Food manufacturers and retailers will no longer have to report food-related deaths or illnesses to the consumer watchdog.
Changes to legislation will mean that state and territory public health laws require hospitals and doctors to report food-related illnesses or deaths.
Businesses will be able to remove the requirement to report a complaint about food safety illness to the ACCC, from their food safety program or manual.
The press release from the Minister of Small Business can be found here.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/manufacturers-retailers-no-longer-need-to-report-poisonous-food-to-accc-20150318-1m21jw.html#ixzz3UmAtkd6j

Leading Food Safety advocate Doug Powell has compiled and published a table listing all the reported incidences of Salmonella food poisoning, relating to eggs, in Australia, since 1991. 
Thanks Doug, this is a great list!
See Dougs barf blog at  http://barfblog.com/.
Australia's  egg related Salmonella food safety incidences listing.
Restaurants and caterers feature, serving raw egg menu items.
Infection with Salmonella species causes salmonellosis, with symptoms including gastric, fever, and cramping. Salmonellosis can be contracted from a variety of sources,not only egg and poultry.
( peanut butter, rockmelon, chocolate, mangoes, dried spices etc etc)

However in Australia, the preparation of raw egg products seems to dominate the headlines.
Cafes, Restaurants and Caterers need to recognise that egg is a potentially hazardous food and needs correct temperature control,( keep it cold, or cook it thoroughly) or other controls such as lowering pH, use pasteurised egg products, to ensure it is safe to serve.
Basic food safety principles and processes need to be applied.
Correct Food Systems can assist with education of staff, and implementation of a food safety program to ensure the risks involved with menu items is understood and controlled.

Australia's food safety response mechanisms have been targeted since frozen imported berries were linked to a series of hepatitis A cases in February 2015.
The Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce continues  to be actively concerned regarding Australia's food safety responsibilities to consumers.
Jurisdiction for making decisions related to blocking or testing imported foods is shared by FSANZ and the departments of Agriculture and Health, as well as state departments and food safety authorities.

Canned and preserved fruit is classed as a "surveillance food import", which means 5 per cent of consignments are screened by the Department of Agriculture This will remain unchanged, but lead and tin testing will now be added to existing labelling checks undertaken at the border. Imported peaches would be subject to additional screening.


 The Department of Agriculture increased the inspection rate back up to 100 per cent of consignments for tinned Tuna in late February 2015.  The Australian Government said all tuna imported from the factory linked to the latest scombroid poisoning scare  will be inspected and tested for histamine and held at the border until results of the laboratory analysis confirm, showing that the food is safe for human consumption.

Full story at ABC Rural. 

The Age newspaper has reported a number of objects found in a range of food products reportedly purchased at Aldi supermarkets. Complaints range from life larvae in chocolates, a fingernail in icecream, starfish mixed in a tin of smoked oysters.
A spokeperson from Aldi has said that Aldi is investigating the issues thoroughly with the suppliers and we will implement any further action if required.
The full article in The Age can be viewed here.
Correct Food Systems can assist with investigating customer complaints in an professional independent manner and work with client to ensure best practice foreign object controls are in place.

In the wake of the Nanna's frozen berries food safety incident, Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has called for a revision of the country of origin labelling. Joyce will be presenting a White Paper with proposed changes soon. It is believed to recommend a statement identifying the country where the produce was grown. CHOICE has also called on the Government to take action on country of origin labelling, launching a petition in mid February.
Correct Food Systems will continue to keep you informed of any changes to food safety regulations and keep you abreast of the labelling requirements for food.