Victorian Health Department officials have defended themselves against criticism of the administration of food safety enforcement in the State of Victoria. Australian Food News has published several reports in the past month about failings in food safety enforcement in Victoria. Today, several Australian newspapers have provided further evidence of the Department failing to alert the public to a number of serious food poisoning outbreaks that took place during 2011. One such incident involved a sushi... ...Read more »

A Food Authority survey of sushi outlets in NSW has found Sushi safety standards the highest they have been in years. “The survey found that 98 per cent of products were microbiologically safe, and none of the samples presented any risk to human health,” NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, advised. “This is good news for Sushi lovers and shows the Government initiative to develop industry safety guidelines in 2007 has paid dividends.” “Many of the ingredients... ...Read more »

New research released by Seafish, the authority on seafood in the UK, has revealed that sushi is now an established lunchtime favourite. Sales of sushi are up 21% year on year, with the total UK sushi market now worth £38.9 million per annum. The raw fish trade is booming in ‘western’ countries worldwide, with health benefits and an increased consumer desire for something different assisting the trend. The love affair with sushi has been noticeable here in Australia, with a host of... ...Read more »

The raw fish trade is booming in Australia, as consumers begin to realise that raw fish is not only very healthy but also delicious. However, chefs and sushi experts at a restaurant summit recently held in Tokyo have made clear their concern about the possible danger of the raw fish boom. As popularity of traditional Japanese food has escalated over the past decade food-safety risks may also have been increasing, as amateur consumers and businesses seek to make their own sushi. Businesses are beginning... ...Read more »