WOOLWORTHS
LIMITED
Woolworths Quality
Assurance Update
#149
February 2013
In this Issue:
Introducing
Woolworths Brands
- Woolworths Supermarkets
Food, Liquor, Fresh
Update
- Supporting documents for
Sample Submission Specification
(SSS) forms
- Voluntary Incidental Trace
Allergen Labelling (VITAL)
Introducing Woolworths Brands
Woolworths Limited manages some of Australia's most recognised &
trusted brands. We endeavour to create a world class experience for
consumers across all our stores and platforms.
Our Supermarket and Petrol division is represented by Countdown
Supermarkets, Thomas Dux, Woolworths Petrol and Woolworths
Supermarkets
- Finished product Assessment
- Product Changes
- Food Safety – Everyone’s
responsibility
Nutrition & Policy
- Legislative updates
Product Categories
Key Contacts
Woolworths is Australia’s largest supermarket chain. Operating 872 stores
across Australia, Woolworths relies on the 111,000 staff in stores,
distribution centres and support offices to provide our customers with
superior service, range, value and convenience.
Woolworths prides itself on working closely with Australian growers and
farmers to ensure the best products are available to customers. Sourcing
96% of all fresh fruit and vegetables and 100% of fresh meat from
Australian farmers and growers. This makes Woolworths Australia’s Fresh
Food People.
As one of Australia’s most innovative retailers, Woolworths understands
that consumers are looking for new, simple ways to shop. Consumers can
shop from the comfort of their computer at home or on the train on their
way home from work using the Woolworths Supermarket App and the best
part is, their groceries can be delivered straight to the kitchen bench.
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FOOD / LIQUOR / FRESH
Supporting documents for Sample Submission Specification (SSS)
forms
Correct information or “right first time” ensures that your products easily
transition through the Woolworths Quality Assurance process.
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.149
February 2013
Verification that all information contained in the SSS forms is technically accurate,
completed by your Technical or Quality team and ensuring that the product is fully
defined will assist with a smooth transition.
Have you considered asking someone in your team to check the formulation you
are submitting on the SSS reflects the actual final product? This will minimise the
need for product changes and potential delays.
In addition to the SSS form, the following supporting documents may be required
to finalise product specifications:
1. Detailed summary of Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL)
2. Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) test report from a NATA or ILAC
accredited laboratory
3. Certificates of Analysis for chemical and microbiological criteria (refer to
WQA Appendix 2)
4. Raw material specifications/Product Information Form (PIF) for all
Flavours, colours and ingredients as requested, used in the product
5. End of Shelf life validation for organoleptic, chemical and microbiological
stability.
Requirements may vary by category – please discuss your requirements with your
Quality Specialist
Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL)
The VITAL system is a standardised allergen risk assessment tool for food
producers.
VITAL allows for food producers to assess the impact of allergen cross contact and
provide appropriate precautionary allergen labelling on their products.
To ensure that the above is accurate the person completing the VITAL must have a
direct understanding of ingredient and process cross contact, allergen control and
manufacturing operations. The VITAL tool must be completed by the on-site
manufacturer’s Quality/Technical team and must not be completed by the broker.
This will ensure that all possible sources of cross contamination have been
considered.
Training on VITAL is highly recommended. Please visit the Allergen Bureau for
more information on available training http://www.allergenbureau.net/
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FOOD / LIQUOR / FRESH
Finished product Assessment
A thorough assessment of finished product against the Woolworths issued product
specification shall be conducted for all Woolworths Branded products (most
importantly with new products on 1st production) and must be included in your
verification program. Any changes to Woolworths issued specification must be
approved by your Quality Specialist.
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.149
February 2013
Product Changes
Do you regularly consider and review the changes that occur within your business that
can affect your current product specifications and artwork?
Process changes may require product specifications and artwork to be updated.
Examples of areas where this may be required include changes to:
Manufacturing/Production sites
Supply details
Product formulations
Ingredients
Nutrition Panel
Allergens
A reminder to all Trade Partners that all product specifications and artwork shall be
considered when any of these changes occur. Please ensure that any changes are
discussed with the relevant Quality Specialist/Officer.
Food Safety – Everyone’s responsibility
Food contamination can occur at any stage from paddock to plate. Everyone who
participates in this chain must be aware and employ measures to keep food safe farmer, processor, vendor and consumer.
Have you considered what role you play in food safety?
We all need to take responsibility and play our important part in keeping food safe.
Basic food safety includes:
Understanding the hazards associated with food products and the conditions
to prevent the growth of bacteria which can cause food poisoning
Considering appropriate packaging for product and any possible issues
associated such as leaks in vacuum packs, damage to packaging or pest
infestation.
Procedures in place for Safe food handling for example harvesting, receiving,
re-packing, food storage, preparation and cooking, cooling and re-heating,
cleaning and sanitizing, pest control, transport and delivery.
Allergen control throughout all stages
Correct cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Personal hygiene, hand washing, illness, and protective clothing.
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NUTRITION AND POLICY
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.149
February 2013
NEW STANDARD APPROVED: NUTRITION, HEALTH AND RELATED
CLAIMS
Please be aware that the new Food Standard 1.2.7 – Nutrition, Health and Related
Claims was gazetted on the 7th January and is effective as of this date. The food
industry has 3 years to comply with this standard. (Please note that at the end of
the 3 year period standard 1.1A.2 Transitional Standard Health Claims will cease to
comply).
The purpose of the new Standard 1.2.7 is to regulate the use of nutrition content
claims and health claims on food labels and in advertisements for food.
The Regulation and Explanatory Statement can be viewed at:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L00054
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING REQUIREMENTS EXTENDED
(AUSTRALIA ONLY)
Food Standard 1.2.11 - Country of Origin Labelling has been extended to cover
unpackaged beef, sheep and chicken products.
The legislation comes into effect on the 18th July 2013.
Country of origin labelling now includes unpackaged Fish, including fish that has been mixed or coated with one or more
other foods
Pork
Fruit and vegetables
Beef
Veal
Lamb
Hogget
Mutton
Chicken
A mix of foods mentioned above.
Country or origin statements must be on or in connection with the display of the
food and clearly identify The country or countries of origin of the food or
That the food is a mix of local and imported foods or
That the food is a mix of imported foods.
Details of the legislation is available at::
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L00051
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PRODUCE SPECIFICATIONS
PRODUCE SPECIFICATION CHANGES
The following are changes in the Produce Specifications available on the Woolworths Website as of 12 February
2013.
Please refer to: > Topic Centre > Standards and Compliance > Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) > Produce
Specifications
VEGETABLE
Eggplant; Angela Aubergine
Herbs Dill
Herbs Dill Punnets
Leafy Vegetables Watercress
Tomato; Truss Cocktail (Brioso)
FRUIT
Pear; European Crystal
Pear;European Sweet Delight
Plum; Black Cherry Royale
AUSTRALIA
AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION
New Specification
General Appearance; Maturity
General Appearance; Maturity
General Appearance; Visual
New Specification
AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION
New Specification
New Specification
New Specification
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PRODUCT CATEGORIES
FOOD / FRESH
Food Group 1 – Natalie Cook
Kate Adams
Chantele Napier
Juliet de la Paz
Sivanitha Natkuna
Long-life Milk; Desserts; Ice Cream; Frozen Desserts & Pastry;
Entertainment
Confectionary; Seafood; Frozen Seafood; Canned Seafood
Bakery- ISB; Bakery- Resale
Biscuits; Jams & Spreads; Milk Additives; Tea /Coffee
New Zealand
Sneh Lata
Nancy Parker
Bakery, Liquor & Grocery
Produce; Seafood; Poultry; Meat; Dairy
Food Group 2- Peter Ng
Fiona Grime
Melissa Ng
Maisie Wen
Sarah Hilder
Produce; Deli- Chilled; Baby Food; Sushi
Dairy - Yoghurt, milk, cheese; Nuts / Dried Fruit (produce & grocery);
Grains & Seeds; Commodity Chain; Breakfast Foods / Cereals
Pasta / Rice / Noodles; Oils; Frozen Vegetables / Fruit
Long-life Juice / Drink; Chilled Juice; Water Ice; Carbonated
Beverages; Cordial / Drink Bases; Water Non Carbonated
Food Group 3- Michelle Graham
Muliawy
Selina Simmonds
Joanne Chow
Meat Value Added; Poultry- Fresh; Prepared Meals (Frozen)
Grocery Prepared Meals; Ethnic Food / Mexican; Condiments /
Sauces; Canned Fruit / Vegetables / Pulse /Tomatoes
Meat- Primals and Plain Cuts; Poultry- Frozen; Eggs; Snacks/ Chips;
Nutritional Snacks; Cooking / Baking Needs
Shanghai Sourcing Office
Simon Yue
Kevin Dong
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GENERAL ENQUIRIES (WQA, CAR’s, CERTIFICATES): [email protected]
QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM CONTACTS FOR PRODUCT SPECIFIC ENQUIRIES:
Food, Liquor, Fresh
Alison
Quality Manager – Food, Liquor, Fresh
+61 2 8885 2305 /
+61 404829470
[email protected]
Natalie Co
Lead Quality Specialist – Food Group 1
+61 2 8885 9120 /
+61 429 159 858
[email protected]
Juliet
Quality Specialist - Food Group 1
+61 2 8885 9371
[email protected]
Chantele
Quality Specialist – Food Group 1
+61 2 8885 4232
[email protected]
Kate
Quality Officer - Food Group 1
+61 2 8885 9362
[email protected]
Sivanitha
Quality Specialist - Food Group 1
+61 2 8885 8094
[email protected]
Sneh
Quality Specialist (New Zealand)
+64 9 255 3886
[email protected]
Nancy
Quality Specialist (New Zealand)
+64 9 255 2021
[email protected]
Peter N
Lead Quality Specialist - Food Group 2
+61 2 8885 3792 /
+61 437390445
[email protected]
Fiona
Quality Specialist - Food Group 2/ Produce
+61 2 8885 1608
[email protected]
Melissa
Quality Specialist - Food Group 2
+61 2 8885 2337
[email protected]
Maisie
Quality Officer - Food Group 2
+61 2 8885 1087
[email protected]
Sarah
Quality Officer - Food Group 2
+61 2 8885 2359
[email protected]
Michelle
Lead Quality Specialist - Food Group 3
+612 8885 3106 /
+61 478302037
[email protected]
Selina
Quality Specialist- Food Group 3
+612 8885 3235
[email protected]
Muliawy
Quality Specialist - Food Group 3
+61 2 8885 9958
[email protected]
Joanne
Quality Officer - Food Group 3
+61 2 8885 2323
[email protected]
Kevin
Quality Specialist (Shanghai)
+86 21 2325 0026
[email protected]
Simon
Quality Specialist (Shanghai)
+86 21 2325 0040
[email protected]
Kellie
Quality Specialist – Liquor
+61 2 8885 1632
[email protected]
Hazel
Quality Specialist- Product Standards
+61 2 8885 6697
[email protected]
Product Standards Specialists
Maria
Group Nutritionist
+61 2 8885 1776
[email protected]
Natalie Ch
Nutritionist
+61 2 8885 2544
[email protected]
Laboratory- [email protected]
Ashley
Laboratory Team Leader
+61 2 8885 3143
[email protected]
Seema
QA Analyst
+61 2 8885 3143
[email protected]
Rowena
QA Technician
+61 2 8885 4970
[email protected]
+61 2 8885 3141
[email protected]
Supplier and Compliance Manager (Relief)
+61 2 8885 2360 /
+61 412506481
[email protected]
Belinda
Supplier Compliance
Parental Leave
Natalie C
Quality Specialist (New Zealand)
Parental Leave
Administration
Peter S
Administration
Supplier and Compliance
Anthony
On Leave
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HARDGOODS
Scott Wearing
Steve Heymann
Quality Manager Hardgoods
Product Standards Specialist Hardgoods
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 2303
Mob: +(61) 409 038 518
Amanda Cook
Tamzid Baquee
Quality Specialist
Trainee Quality Specialist
(Personal Care)
(Household Cleaning)
Personal Care / Toiletries
Self Medication
Parallel Imports
Homeware
Picnic ware
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 8006
TBA
Quality Specialist
(General Merchandise)
Art & Craft
Christmas Decoration
Picnic ware
Homeware
Stationery
Travel Goods & Luggage
Ph: +(612) 8885 8014
Baby Nursery
Toys (under 3 years)
Toys (over 3 years)
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 8013
Mousa Lazar
Quality Specialist
(Building Supplies)
TBA
Quality Specialist
(Hardware)
Bags & Wraps
Household Chemicals &
Cleaning
Motoring
Papergoods
Pet Acc.& Pet Food
Bathroom Fixtures
Building Supplies
Indoor & Outdoor Furniture
Plumbing
Sporting Goods
Camping & Fishing
Camping & Fishing
Hardware & D.I.Y.
Garden Hardware
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 2299
Renee Roberts
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 4363
Paula Reid
Quality Officer Hardgoods
Quality Officer Hardgoods
Art & Craft
Seasonal
Dress Accessories
Stationery
Beauty Care
Travel Goods & Luggage
National Brand Register
Hardware & D.I.Y.
Garden Hardware
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ph: +(612) 8885 8004
Ph: +(612) 8885 4431
Includes all Woolworths Limited Brands / Divisions / Countries
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