Science - Food handling, preparation and safety experts

Introduction

Improper food handling, preparation and safety procedures can lead to the contraction of diseases by patrons of restaurants or stores. Common examples of issues which can arise out of improper food handling include contraction of bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli and of viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A.

In Australia, legislation has been introduced to ensure food vendors are held to high standards and to ensure that all food purchased is safe to eat.

All Australian state jurisdictions, along with New Zealand, are subject to the requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and NSW is further subject to the terms of the Food Act 2003 (NSW), which is enforced by the NSW Food Authority.

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Experts in food handling, preparation and safety are often required to provide opinions in civil disputes arising out of alleged breaches of the relevant legislation.

This often involves:

• Investigation into the food handling procedures of a business
  
• Investigation of the food preparation or production area of a business
  
• Investigation of food alleged to have caused injury
  
• Medical examination of those alleging injury due to food poisoning
  

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

• The need for a view or inspection of a location
• The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
• Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
• Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

Relevant Articles Offences (name and shame) registers

The NSW Food Authority publishes lists of businesses that have breached or are alleged to have breached NSW food safety laws. Publishing the lists gives consumers more information to make decisions about where they eat or buy food.

A norovirus outbreak associated with consumption of NSW oysters: implications for quality assurance systems

Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with raw shellfish consumption. In Australia there have been several reports of norovirus outbreaks associated with oysters despite the application of regulatory measures recommended by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

KFC ordered to pay $8m to brain-damaged girl

The family of a young girl who was left severely brain damaged from salmonella poisoning after eating a KFC chicken twister has been awarded $8 million in damages plus costs by the NSW Supreme Court.

Relevant Cases Aqua-Marine Marketing Pty Ltd v Pacific Reef Fisheries (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 5) [2012] FCA 908

Federal case concerning whether the seller of prawns to a buyer was required to comply with the specifications of Woolworths through an oral contract. An expert was required to examine the extent to which samples of the prawns were dangerous from Gill Asso

Fryer Holdings v Liaoning MEC Group [2012] NSWSC 18

Dispute between multiple companies to determine fault for glass fragments found inside bottles of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink sold publicly. A food science consultant with expertise in food safety gave expert opinion.

Samaan bht Samaan v Kentucky Fried Chicken Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 381

A young girl was left severely brain damaged following ingestion of food from a KFC in Villawood containing salmonella. The NSW Supreme Court ruled that the global food chain award her $8 million in damages (see above article). Expert opinion was required

Related Blog Articles