摘要：Foods imported into Australia are subject to laboratory testing for microbiological and chemical hazardsunder the Imported Food Program (IFP) for the purposes of protecting public health and safety. Theprogram, operating under the Imported Food Control Act 1992, is jointly administered by the AustralianQuarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA). Foods thatfail under the IFP are subsequently subjected to appropriate treatment to rectify the problem, or aredestroyed or re-exported. This article presents a limited analysis of IFP test results on selected foodsimported between 1995 and 1999. As corrective action is taken immediately on the basis of failing testresults, regular analysis of collated data is not considered a priority. Nonetheless these data potentiallyrepresent an important source of information on the nature of food microorganisms detected in importedfoods. For example, IFP data could be used to focus local and state-based food surveillance efforts,provide information to importers, to inform national initiatives such as OzFoodNet, and to better targetinvestigative and preventative efforts concerning foodborne illness
关键词：OzFoodNet; foodborne disease; Imported Food Program; quarantine;Listeria; Salmonella; E. coli
