Over 70 years ago, the former DPI Dairy Research Laboratory at Hamilton recognised the importance of ensuring confidence in its technical disciplines and attained NATA accreditation.
To this day, the Department’s food microbiological laboratory located in Cairns has continued this accreditation and continues to provide an essential food, water and environmental microbiology testing service to local and regional Queensland food industries.
NATA accreditation plays a significant role in demonstrating their testing services are accurate, reliable and are to the highest standards.
This allows their clients to meet domestic and international legislative requirements, thus providing market expansion and increase demand for Queensland trusted food produce.
The Cairns Microbiology Laboratory services a diverse customer base from Bowen to Cape York, including the largest prawn trawling fleet in Queensland; the region’s food producers, processors and food businesses across the horticulture, dairy, seafood, meat and food service sectors.
The laboratory works in conjunction with the North Queensland Food Technology team to provide vital food safety support, scientific advice, technological innovation, product development guidance; along with interpretation of legislation, microbiological results, sampling plans, shelf-life assessment and rapid action in preventing foodborne disease outbreaks.
NATA appreciates the commitment from DAF over the years and hope it continues for many years to come.