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country-look-at-regulations-and-best-practices-in-the-global-cold-chain/

A Country-by-Country Look at Regulations and Best

Practices in the Global Cold Chain
By Simon Jol, Alex Kassianenko, Jan Oggel and Kaz Wszol

Australia/New Zealand
The Australia-New Zealand food standards development system is a cooperative arrangement between
Australia, New Zealand and the Australian States and mainland territories. Its mandate is to develop and
implement uniform food standards for a combined population of some 24 million. In Australia, Food
Standards Australia-New Zealand (formerly Australia New Zealand Food Authority) is charged with the
development of food standards that cover the entire food supply chain, from paddock to plate. This
includes primary producers through to the manufacturing industry. This organization works in
partnership with Australias Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the New Zealand
government. Responsibility for enforcing and policing domestic food standards rests with the states and
territories in Australia and the New Zealand governments.

When it comes to imported foods, the Commonwealth enforces the Code using the Imported Food
Control Act 1992 as its legal authority. Within each jurisdiction, there are one or more agencies
responsible for food surveillance. Each is charged with the task of ensuring the requirements of the
Code are met.[30] The Commonwealth uses Standard 3.2.2 (Food Safety Practices and General
Requirements) as the basis of enforcement and policy. Its divisions and subdivisions specify process
control requirements to be satisfied at each step of the food handling process.[31] The Australian and
New Zealand authorities also refer to The Temperature Control of Potentially Hazardous Foods guide
as it explains the temperature control requirements and provides some advice on how to comply with
these requirements.[32]

Industry stakeholders include the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Australian Supermarket
Institute and the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association. In order to exhibit their
involvement and interest in delivering safe, top quality chilled and frozen foods to the consumer, they
have combined efforts to contribute to this common industry/government goal. Their contribution is
evidenced by two documents: Australian Cold Chain Guidelines and its companion volume The
Australian Cold Chain Food Safety Programs for the safe handling of frozen and chilled foods. These
food safety guidelines seek to strengthen the cold chain by recommending maximum product
temperatures and appropriate practices for each link from manufacturer to consumer.[33,34]

India
The need to meet food safety challenges, and provide a population of almost 1.1 billion with safe food,
has raised the awareness of international food safety systems in India. While many small food
enterprises and street vendors supply local food needs in accordance with local standards, the
assurance of safe food production for international markets has created an opportunity to harmonize
domestic and Codex Alimentarius standards with a HACCP approach. The Food Safety and Standards Bill,
2005, aims to consolidate eight laws governing the food sector and seeks to establish the Food Safety
and Standards Authority.

The Directorate General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is presently
integrating Codex standards into domestic food laws. The national standards body, the Bureau of Indian
Standards, has adopted Codex, HACCP and food hygiene standards. Food processors are being
encouraged to adopt these standards voluntarily. The cold chain is expanding in accordance with
international market demand and regional food distribution needs.

Export certification is mandatory, for a variety of foods, under Indias Export Inspection Act. Inspections
are carried out under ISO standards.

References
1. Smith, J., and P. Sewell. Legislation and food transport. In Food Transportation (eds. R. Heap, M.
Kierstan, and G. Ford), Blackie Academic & Professional, pp. 215-228.
2. Codex Alimentarius. 2003. Recommended internatio Categories: Supply Chain: Regulation,
Temperature Control/Cold Chain