2014 HACCP Awards winners announced

The winners of the 2014 HACCP Awards have been announced at an event hosted by SAI Global. Outstanding food safety experts were recognised across five major categories, including the Ross Peters Memorial Award for Excellence in Food Safety.

The gala event took place as part of the Australian HACCP Conference.

“These awards recognise the individuals and businesses that work tirelessly to ensure the safety of Australia’s food supply. We drive professionals to raise the bar and set a higher industry standard and this year’s winners have done exactly that,” said SAI Global’s Tim Jacob.

The categories and winners are:

• Outstanding individual nominated by an agri-food industry company: Damien Alexander, National Food Safety Manager, Woolworths Limited
• Outstanding individual working as a registered food safety auditor: Lisa Tomassen, Senior Food Safety Auditor, SGS Australia
• Outstanding single-site company: Tasmanian Dairy Products
• Outstanding multi-site company: Golden State Foods Australia (GSF)

The Ross Peters Memorial Award for Excellence in Food Safety was awarded to Richard Bennett of the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand. Bennett has reportedly championed the improved understanding and adoption of food safety and quality management in the fresh produce sector for 20 years.

The judges commended him for his guidance, research management, resource design and communication.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by my peers in such a significant award category. The fresh produce industry’s safety journey has been a long one with many difficult challenges along the way. At each stage I did all I could to lead, facilitate and inspire those I worked with. In turn, their work inspired me,” said Bennett.