Notifying DFSV

DFSV licensees are encouraged to notify DFSV when circumstances arise during primary production or processing of dairy food that may compromise the acceptability of product for consumption, or otherwise present a potential food safety risk or failure to meet regulatory requirements. Examples of such situations (but not exclusively) are:

1.        COMPROMISED PRODUCT:

• Product that is not, or may not be, compliant with standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code (the Code).
• Product that is not, or may not be, compliant with the requirements for food to be safe and suitable as per the Food Act 1984 (the Food Act).
• Production that is not, or may not be, conformant with the licensee’s approved food safety program (including any importing country requirements).
• Products subject to in-process failures of critical controls or other manufacturing specifications.
• Other unforeseen circumstances that may arise with the potential to impact food safety or ability to meet regulatory obligations.

Such incidents should be notified using  Form - DFSV Notification Advice Form

2.        ON FARM INCIDENTS RESULTING IN:

• The presence of antibiotics in raw milk

Use Form - Antibiotic Notification Form

OR

• Milk that does not comply with maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants (ML), maximum residue limits (MRL) or extraneous residue limits (ERL) specified in the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code (the Code)
• Milk that is not, or may not be, conformant with the licensee’s approved food safety program to meet importing country requirements

Use Form - DFSV Notification Advice Form - Farm Incident

Completed forms should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• This process allows for DFSV to assist your business to assess the situation and determine an appropriate course of action to ensure food safety outcomes, suitability for market and compliance with legislative requirements.
• Many licensees’ food safety programs state that DFSV will be notified of certain events. This form provides a means of submitting this information to DFSV and ensures that all required information is provided.
• Licensees are expected to assess the impact of the situation on the food safety or acceptability of the product or raw milk (in the case of an on-farm incident) and propose appropriate remediation and/or product disposition arrangements. Impacted product must be appropriately identified and controlled pending DFSVs evaluation of the business’ proposal.

If you are unsure whether you need to notify DFSV of an event, please contact your Food Safety Manager or DFSV on (03) 9810 5900 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.