Every day, Australians purchase food with confidence, trusting that what reaches supermarket shelves, restaurant kitchens and export markets is safe, high quality and fit for purpose.
What many people don’t see is the critical role accredited laboratory testing plays in creating that trust.
For Agrifood Technology, accredited testing is far more than a technical process. It is a vital safeguard that supports Australia’s food and agribusiness supply chain, helping ensure that food products, raw materials and agricultural inputs meet the standards expected by consumers, regulators and global markets.
The broader importance of this work was highlighted in recent independent research undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), which selected Agrifood Technology as one of its case studies examining the value and impact of accreditation in Australia.
The seminal study found that accreditation provides the confidence behind the trust consumers place in food testing and the assurance businesses rely on when trading in domestic and international markets. While accreditation often operates behind the scenes, the research demonstrated that its impact extends throughout the food supply chain, supporting public confidence, protecting consumers and enabling Australian products to compete globally.
For more than 34 years, Agrifood Technology has maintained continuous NATA accreditation, providing testing services across food safety, food quality, feedstock analysis, grains, soil, water and agricultural inputs. Its clients range from food manufacturers and exporters to government agencies, producers, consultants and other laboratories.
Built on a commitment to delivering reliable and accurate results, Agrifood Technology understands that a single accredited test result can have significant consequences, influencing whether a shipment proceeds, a product meets specification, an export deal is completed or a food safety risk is identified.
For former Agrifood Technology General Manager Doreen Fernandez, who has since retired from the organisation, accreditation is not simply an external recognition of quality.
“NATA accreditation is essentially a licence for us to do business,” she said.
That statement reflects a reality faced by many laboratories. Accreditation is frequently a prerequisite for participation in the market. Major customers expect accredited results, tender requirements often mandate accreditation, and regulatory confidence depends upon it. Without accreditation, opportunities can be lost before discussions even begin.
Within Agrifood Technology’s laboratories, accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 provides the framework that ensures methods are validated, results are reproducible and technical competence is continually demonstrated.
“The objective isn’t just to put out a number,” Doreen explains. “It’s to make sure it’s the right result, and it’s accurate.”
That distinction is critical. Every result represents a decision point for customers, regulators or trading partners. Accreditation transforms testing data into evidence that can be trusted.
The benefits extend beyond Australia’s borders. When food exports are supported by a NATA-endorsed certificate of analysis, overseas customers gain confidence that testing has been performed to internationally recognised standards. This helps reduce risk, streamline trade and strengthen Australia’s reputation as a supplier of safe and reliable food products.
The UTS research also highlighted accreditation’s contribution to business performance. Agrifood Technology identified increased revenue as a direct benefit, noting that access to accredited work has helped grow its business and expand opportunities.
At the same time, accreditation provides a structured pathway for innovation. As new technologies and faster testing methods emerge, they must be validated and incorporated into the accredited system, ensuring efficiency gains never come at the expense of accuracy or reliability. The framework also reinforces staff development, embedding quality assurance into everyday operations.
Agrifood Technology’s experience demonstrates that trust in food begins long before products reach consumers. It starts in laboratories, with skilled people, robust methods and independent accreditation that provides confidence at every step of the supply chain.
The summary UTS report on the significant value of accreditation is available here