Effective: 29 October 2025
Attention
Industry stakeholders, including food importers and customs brokers responsible for importing food tested under the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
Purpose
To advise food importers and customs brokers of a laboratory name change and a laboratory that has stopped providing services.
Key points
In June 2025, Merieux Nutrisciences (Silliker Australia) acquired the Bureau Veritas shares of BVAQ Pty Ltd, resulting in the formation of the new joint venture MNAQ Australia Pty Ltd.
Following this acquisition:
- BVAQ Pty Ltd is no longer trading
- Silliker Australia's operations have been transferred to MNAQ Australia.
Silliker Australia stopped operating in September 2025 and is therefore no longer an appointed analyst under the Imported Food Control Act 1992 section 34(1).
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has removed Silliker from the Book a laboratory for food testing webpage.
Clients who previously used Silliker Australia as their nominated laboratory are now being transferred to MNAQ (Australia) Pty Ltd.
Next steps for importers and brokers
- Check the laboratory listed on your Food Control Certificate
- If Silliker Australia is listed, please submit a new laboratory nomination form.
Background
All imported food testing under the IFIS must be conducted by an appointed analyst.
Importers must nominate which appointed analyst will conduct the required testing by completing a Laboratory nomination form. All costs related to testing are a commercial arrangement between the importer and the appointed analyst.
Appointed analysts must:
- meet the Conditions of appointment to operate as an appointed analyst
- undergo a review and reassessment every two years to ensure they still meet suitability requirements.
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