The taking of food or environmental samples for analysis, used by authorised officers and businesses to verify food safety and compliance.
It is the collection of food, ingredient or environmental samples for laboratory analysis to check for hazards or to verify compliance with food safety and labelling requirements.
Yes. Authorised officers have powers under the state or territory Food Act to take samples during inspections, following the procedures set out in the law.
Sampling and testing is a common way to verify that controls such as cleaning and temperature control are working, and it provides records for audits and due diligence.
It is swabbing surfaces and the food environment, rather than the product itself, often to check for organisms such as Listeria in ready-to-eat operations.
A failed result should trigger corrective action, such as cleaning and re-testing or reviewing product safety, and both the result and the action are recorded.