NSW Releases Annual Food Testing Results for 2019 – 2020

Each year the New South Wales (NSW) Food Authority publishes its Annual Food Testing Report, detailing the results of food samples collected from NSW food businesses. Results found in the report are used to ensure regulatory compliance, assist with government complaints, as well as develop systems and processes to manage the prevention of foodborne illness effectively and maintain food safety. The 2019 – 2020 Annual Food Testing Report shares important results regarding food safety and foodborne illness investigations.

Key Facts

The report for the 2019 – 2020 testing period states that 4,540 samples were collected and tested during the period, a number significantly lower than the previous assessment year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Samples that were tested include meat, dairy, seafood, plant products, packaged food, eggs, food from retail sources, and environmental swabs. Seventy different types of tests were conducted including chemical and microbiological analyses, Ph, water activity, and allergens.

Key Findings

VERIFICATION PROGRAMS

Food Safety Schemes Verification Program for Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Products

Between July 2019 and June 2020, a total of 87 ready-to-eat food samples were randomly collected from 43 businesses and submitted for testing. All products analysed were found to be compliant.

Raw Poultry Verification Program

The Raw Poultry Verification Program involved the testing of raw chicken from retail businesses and processing plants. 

224 whole chickens and chicken portions were sampled and tested from processing plants with Salmonella detected in 10.7% of samples (0.4% of samples had quantifiable levels of Salmonella) and Campylobacter was detected in 83.0% of samples (4.9% of samples had quantifiable levels of Campylobacter). 

164 portion samples were collected and tested from retail food businesses. 25% of samples tested positive for Salmonella (no samples had quantifiable levels of Salmonella) and Campylobacter was detected in 89.6% of samples (8.5% of samples had quantifiable levels of Campylobacter).

Kilojoule Menu Labelling Verification Program

To help combat obesity, NSW labelling regulations require certain food retail businesses, including fast-food chains that sell standard food items (with 20 or more outlets in NSW or 50 or more outlets nationally) to include kilojoule information for standard menu items at the point of sale. 

The Kilojoule Menu Labelling Verification Program involved comparing the declared value advertised, to the actual energy value of the product, to ensure that companies remain diligent about the accuracy of their labelling. In all, a total of 147 food products from 46 chains were tested.

During initial testing, 30% of products tested showed a significant kilojoule content discrepancy, while 8% had a kilojoule content discrepancy of more than 50%.

Results from subsequent follow-up testing revealed that eight chains still had a discrepancy of more than 20% (five products had a lower energy content than labelled and eight products had a higher energy content than labelled). 

The head office for the chains has been asked to investigate the issue and provide feedback to the NSW Food Authority. 

Some of the contributing issues that were identified include products not being made according to the recipe, incorrect calculation of the kilojoule content of the product, and displaying the incorrect label. 

RESEARCH AND TARGETED PROJECTS

Plant-Based Alternative Products Survey

Plant-based foods that mimic meat products continue to grow in popularity. Given that reports normally focus on the nutritional aspects or consumers’ acceptance, a survey was conducted to gather information on the microbiological safety of the products and labelling compliance. 

The report revealed that of the 85 products tested, none resulted in any microbiological safety concerns, however 50% were found to have non-compliant labels. Most products found to be non-compliant had labels making unfounded nutritional claims where the manufacturer used non-permitted or unsubstantiated claims. The report states that follow-up action was taken accordingly. 

Algal Biotoxins in Wild Shellfish

Certain types of algae, or microscopic organisms, can produce toxic compounds that build up in bi-valve shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Consuming bi-valve shellfish containing high levels of toxins can be dangerous to consumers. 

During the 2019 – 2020 period, 37 shellfish samples were tested for algal toxins. Two cockle samples tested positive for amnesic shellfish toxins. Ten pipi samples tested positive for diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DST). 

In total, 13 out of 37 samples tested positive for biotoxins, though it should be noted that only three were above regulatory limits. All three results were collected from the same beach and from stock harvested within a two-day period. The report states that the beach was subsequently closed to harvest upon receipt of the high results.

FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE

Samples Taken During Audits and Inspections

Between July 2019 and June 2020, a total of 3,622 samples were submitted for testing during audits and inspections. 

The report highlights that 26 samples from 11 of the butchers were found to be non-compliant for SO2 testing and one sample of raw meat was also found to be non-compliant after meat speciation testing. The report notes that appropriate enforcement action was taken or is planned to be taken for non-compliant samples.

Foodborne Illness Investigations

The Food Authority investigates suspected cases of foodborne illness in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, local councils, and interstate agencies. Between July 2019 and June 2020, a total of 1,178 food and environmental samples were submitted for testing in response to foodborne illness investigations and their follow up activities. 

Between January and April 2020, a large outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium occurred, that affected over 1,000 people, including over 200 in NSW. Despite an extensive investigation, no source for the outbreak was found.

Complaints and Compliance Projects

Between July 2019 and June 2020, 2,411 samples were submitted for testing due to a complaint or compliance project. Compliance projects undertaken included Salmonella Enteritidis surveillance, which accounted for 2,022 of these samples.

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) Surveillance on Egg Farms

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is a bacterial disease of poultry, and the consumption of eggs contaminated with SE can present a high risk for causing foodborne illness in humans. Since 2018, a steady increase in the number of cases of SE illness in humans was observed. A major investigation was conducted 2018-2019 and surveillance and monitoring activities at NSW egg farms continued in 2019-2020. 

Between July 2019 and June 2020, a total of 2022 samples were analysed. Surveillance, monitoring, and clearance activities will continue in 2020-2021.

Rockmelon Survey

Salmonella has previously been linked to rockmelons in Australia with Listeria outbreaks linked to rockmelons in 2016 and 2018.

No Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes were detected in any of 120 samples obtained, demonstrating the ongoing good performance of the melon industry in managing these hazards. 

Source: Annual Food Testing Report 2019-2020