B-Qual Overview

It is well recognised in the honey industry that quality standards in relation to food safety are demanded by customers, wholesalers and governments. Also, it is necessary to comply with the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Safety Standard, which requires food businesses to develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) based food safety programme.

B-QUAL Objective:

B-Qual Australia Pty Limited has been established by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council as an independently developed and audited food safety programme.

The project involves a three year programme with the ultimate aim of ensuring that in excess of 90% of all honey produced in Australia is quality assured for both domestic and export customers. The specific requirements of the European Union (EU) for the export of honey and honey products (including organics) will be met. The requirements of FSANZ Food Safety Standard will also be developed. The adoption of these standards will enable continued market access both in Australia and overseas. The project will produce for industry to adopt, an auditable biosecurity plan.

It is also proposed that the adoption of a national quality standard will form the basis of an ongoing programme to ensure industry best practice and ongoing industry training.

Product standards include all facets of production and services of the industry including honey, queen bees, pollination and honey packing. The resulting system provides a self-policing means of ensuring standards are kept at industry best practice and meet the domestic and international market demands.

B-QUAL Mission :

The purpose of B-Qual is to accredit and have adopted a quality assurance programme for greater than 90% of the production of the Australian honeybee industry. The project will develop accreditation and train industry participants in QA standards, organic standards and biosecurity as well as providing on ongoing third party audit system.

What does B-QUAL cover?

As the industry quality assurance program – B-Qual includes the production and delivery of the:-

·         Industry Food Safety Plan

·         ‘Honey Quality Standard’ booklet

·         QA templates to assist beekeepers with the writing of a quality manual

·         Training materials for industry facilitators

·         Auditor training manual

·         National ‘Auditor Training Workshops’

·         Templates will also include criteria for the production of organic honey.

·         Development of an industry biosecurity plan