The department compiles and publishes data from inspections of imported food consignments under the scheme in its monthly failing food reports.
The foods listed in these reports have been identified as 'failing foods' under the Imported Food Control Act 1992. The department may publish certain information concerning this failing food under Section 35 of the Act.
Future consignments of the food from producers of failing foods will be inspected at the rate of 100 per cent of consignments until the food demonstrates compliance with Australian food standards.
Failing food reports identify foods that have failed analytical testing or do not meet the compositional requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
The reports do not list foods that have failed for noncompliant labels as the responsibility for the correct labelling of imported food lies with the importer. In these cases, the importer has an opportunity to bring the label into compliance with Australian food labelling standards.
Since January 2012, we have listed the producer of the food in the failing food reports. The producer is defined as the overseas entity that has grown, caught, manufactured or processed the food and is identified using information provided by the importer and the labelling on the food's packaging.