Our goal
We work with the Australian food sector on a range of metrology capabilities and services.
The main drivers of our work within the sector relate to:
- food safety
- nutrition and labelling
- supporting research and good governance
- aiding regulatory compliance.
Request a quote or discuss your requirements for food and agricultural testing services.
Core responsibilities
Food safety is a primary concern to our stakeholders and a driving force behind the work we do.
We have a number of key responsibilities in the food sector, including:
- administering the laws that cover selling food by weights and measures in Australia
- food testing and analytical services
- physical measurement services
- laboratory quality assurance.
Ee meet these responsibilities by providing leading measurement services to ensure food safety. This includes testing for:
- veterinary and other chemical residues in produce, dairy, meats and seafood
- bio-toxins in seafood
- food borne viruses.
Emerging work
As our diets evolve, and science is increasingly used in food production, we need to respond to new measurement challenges.
We work with government, industry and academia to identify and measure:
- food allergens
- persistent organic pollutants in foods
- nanomaterials and packaging quality
- function and safety of food-related products, such as the migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons from recycled materials into food.
Our emerging work also includes:
- measurements in new and novel areas such as food provenance and fraud
- improved methods to accurately capture nutrients such as vitamin D and amino acids
- capabilities to address ongoing food safety risks to Australian consumers through rapid response solutions with fit-for-purpose analytical methods for incidents and emergencies
- analysis methods to ensure the safety, compliance and quality of hemp foods and medicinal cannabis.
Bioanalysis of foods and raw materials
Our Bioanalysis Group offers a range of unique capabilities to identify species in rendered meats and bone meal.
We check for genetically modified materials in various commodities. We also screen stockfeed to minimise the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as mad cow disease.
Food allergens
We have a strong history in the area of food allergen research and play a leading role in the international community.
We developed specialised methods for identifying the proteins responsible for allergic reactions to seafood. We have refined tests to detect allergens across a broad spectrum of foods.
We promote excellence in the field through the:
- Allergen Testing Special Interest Group
- Food Allergen Management Symposiume
- Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Core responsibilities
We have a number of key responsibilities in the food sector, including:
- administering the laws that cover selling food by weights and measures in Australia
- food testing and analytical services
- physical measurement services
- laboratory quality assurance.
How we meet these responsibilities
Food safety is a primary concern to our stakeholders and a driving force behind the work we do.
We provide leading measurement services to ensure food safety, including testing for:
- veterinary and other chemical residues in produce, dairy, meats and seafood
- bio-toxins in seafood
- food borne viruses.
Trade requirements
We assist trade in the food sector by providing
- measurement services
- reference materials
- proficiency studies
- contributing to accreditation activities.
Regulatory requirements and compliance
We assist food producers, growers, and retailers to meet measurement requirements.
We advise government regulators, monitors, enforcement agencies and standards bodies.
International food regulation
We take part in international committees, such as the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling.
This upholds Australia’s international reputation in
- food measurement
- safety
- trade.
Food innovation
Measurement is an important tool for primary producers, food processors and packaging suppliers.
Our work helps to determine nutritional and functional parameters, productivity and yield outcomes.
Investigations of food
We help processors, retailers and consumer groups identify the nature of:
- food taints
- spoilage
- foreign matter.
We profile food products for quality aspects such as flavour and odour.
We have a unique capability for investigating the presence of undeclared animal species in
- raw and processed meats
- dairy
- fish
- Consumer and media interest.
We help consumer interest groups and Australian media to:
- validate claims
- follow up product safety.
Industry and other labs
We provide independent measurement verification and assurance to
- trading partners
- regulators
- industry
- laboratories.
We are a peak body for advice to government in food metrology. We work with the following organisations:
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Imported Food Inspection Program
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
- Office of Gene Technology Regulator
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Food Innovation Australia.