Milk and other dairy product risk identification
Project Manager: Mrs J Treu
Job Title: Technical Manager
Resources: Funded by Milk SA from statutory levy income
Project goal purposes
The purpose of the project is to:
- identify potential national and international food safety and quality risks within the dairy industry;
- conduct statistical trend analysis based on quarterly survey data captured in the DSA database;
- to conduct year-to-year or cycle-to-cycle statistical comparisons in order to determine effectiveness of Project 1 and to address possible causes for non-compliance of product;
- to provide statistical data that will:
- confirm the trend of percentage compliance in terms of legal standards (indicated per volume) by milk suppliers, which are part of the organised dairy industry;
- identify problem areas in terms of quality criteria.
- to report to relevant role players, using DSA processed data in whatever format required, enabling role players to identify non-conformances and to take appropriate corrective actions;
- regular monitoring of national and international food safety websites and communication of relevant issues to the dairy industry; and
- monitor reports regarding possible food safety scares in the world on international websites.
Note: Corrective actions on individual processors/suppliers because of non-conformances identified, is dealt with under Project 5.
Project description
Through effective data collection, analyses and verifiable statistical information, the Project aims to achieve the following:
- effective planning, problem solving and reporting on any food safety and related issues within the organisation;
- effective reporting to industry regarding risks of milk and other dairy products offered for sale to the consumer;
- based on DSA processed information, measure performance and effectiveness of selected DSA projects (internal verification); and
- collect national and international dairy industry specific information that relates to food safety and quality aspects and disseminate scientific based information to DSA stakeholders (government institutions, MILK SA, DSA Directors, and Members).
The project creates a model that allows for analyses of data captured as well as risk identification[1] based on specific information collected by the project manager. The information is, amongst other, used to create quarterly reports that are communicated to the relevant government departments, as well as the organised dairy industry. Data analysis also enables the DSA with the identification of possible food scares related to the dairy industry through objective information interpretation. Without effective report writing, the flow of information is restricted. The project plays a vital role in creating accurate profiles regarding food safety and quality information of processors and producers/distributors (PD’s) which is essential to initiate remedial programmes.
Statistical and trend analyses is based on all data captured by the DSA in South Africa. Profile determination can therefore also be conducted on all processing facilities regardless of what dairy product is manufactured by processor or producer/distributor.
South Africa is part of the global economy and in this respect, it is important that international activities are monitored via the internet for possible food safety threats which may have an impact on the local dairy industry. The DSA has a standing relationship with the Department of Health which is also the contact point for Infosan of the World Health Organisation.
FOOTNOTES:
- Risk identification in the context of this project goal relates to the identification of food safety and or quality-related problems on a regional/national level as well as the identification of international food safety risks related to the dairy industry.