Concerns Over Food Contamination Reporting and Recall Procedures, and the Laws of Metal Contamination

The reporting at the end of May 2006 of metal contamination and incidents of sabotage in the 'Top Taste' cake range from George Weston Foods' Queensland manufacturing facility has resulted in a major national recall of the whole range of products. In a previous FoodLegal Bulletin issue (March 2006) we explained the existence of major deficiencies in mandatory reporting requirements across Australia. 

Our warnings of a national systemic problem have so far not been heeded. In this 2,000 word article, we reiterate our explanation as to what the law lacks in mandatory reporting requirements, plus we also explain how food can sometimes still be allowed to contain some metal contaminants (not counting the obvious situation of malicious spiking of food with needles or blades and the like). 

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