Our department’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
See Australia.gov.au for whole of Australian Government COVID-19 advice.
- Policies and initiatives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Artificial intelligence
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian Space Agency
- Boosting innovation and science
- Co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array
- Increasing international collaboration
- Industry growth centres
- Industry Innovation and Science Australia
- National Measurement Institute
- Optical astronomy in Australia
- Participating in the digital economy
- Promoting innovation precincts
- Science in our department
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Energy
Resources
Northern Australia
Trade
Business support
Measurement services
Government to government services
- Regulations and standards
Emissions reduction
Energy
Resources
- Applying to export rough diamonds
- Applying to export uranium and controlled ores
- Offshore mineral exploration and mining
- Offshore oil and gas exploration and development
- Offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process
- Regulating offshore oil and gas in Australian Commonwealth waters
- Regulating the Ranger Uranium Mine
- Taxes and royalties on minerals and petroleum
Measurement
Trade
Space industry
Building industry
Business support
- Funding and incentives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Australian Square Kilometre Array Fellowships Programme
- Business Research and Innovation Initiative
- Business-research collaboration
- Collaborating with Asia-Pacific on science, research and innovation
- Collaborating with China on science and research
- Collaborating with India on science and research
- Cooperative research centres
- Enabling international space investment
- Industry 4.0
- Inspiring Australia: Science engagement in Australia
- International research collaboration
- Moon to Mars: opportunities for Australian businesses
- Prime Minister's Prizes for Science
- Research and Development Tax Incentive
- Supporting advanced manufacturing
- Supporting business and innovation
- Supporting space infrastructure growth
- Transitioning Australia’s automotive manufacturing industry
- Venture capital
Resources
- About us
COVID-19
Jobs
Who we are
- Our Ministers
- Our Executive team
- Organisation chart
- Our portfolio agencies
- Overseas engagement
- Anti-Dumping Commission
- Anti-Dumping Review Panel
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian SKA Office
- Australian Space Agency
- Critical Minerals Facilitation Office
- National Measurement Institute
- Office of Innovation and Science Australia
- Office of Northern Australia
- Office of the Chief Economist
- Office of the Chief Scientist
Who we work with
Reporting and accountability
- Annual report
- Assurance and Audit Committee
- Budget statements
- Campaign Certification Statements
- Continuing Order of the Senate
- Corporate plan
- Deregulation agenda
- Freedom of information
- Gifts and benefits register
- Grants reporting
- Information Publication Scheme
- Our contracts
- Privacy impact assessments
- Public interest disclosure
- Senate Order 15: portfolio appointments and vacancies
Our online presence
Contact
- Publications
- News
- Policies and initiatives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Artificial intelligence
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian Space Agency
- Boosting innovation and science
- Co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array
- Increasing international collaboration
- Industry growth centres
- Industry Innovation and Science Australia
- National Measurement Institute
- Optical astronomy in Australia
- Participating in the digital economy
- Promoting innovation precincts
- Science in our department
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Energy
Resources
Northern Australia
Trade
Business support
Measurement services
Government to government services
- Regulations and standards
Emissions reduction
Energy
Resources
- Applying to export rough diamonds
- Applying to export uranium and controlled ores
- Offshore mineral exploration and mining
- Offshore oil and gas exploration and development
- Offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process
- Regulating offshore oil and gas in Australian Commonwealth waters
- Regulating the Ranger Uranium Mine
- Taxes and royalties on minerals and petroleum
Measurement
Trade
Space industry
Building industry
Business support
- Funding and incentives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Australian Square Kilometre Array Fellowships Programme
- Business Research and Innovation Initiative
- Business-research collaboration
- Collaborating with Asia-Pacific on science, research and innovation
- Collaborating with China on science and research
- Collaborating with India on science and research
- Cooperative research centres
- Enabling international space investment
- Industry 4.0
- Inspiring Australia: Science engagement in Australia
- International research collaboration
- Moon to Mars: opportunities for Australian businesses
- Prime Minister's Prizes for Science
- Research and Development Tax Incentive
- Supporting advanced manufacturing
- Supporting business and innovation
- Supporting space infrastructure growth
- Transitioning Australia’s automotive manufacturing industry
- Venture capital
Resources
- About us
COVID-19
Jobs
Who we are
- Our Ministers
- Our Executive team
- Organisation chart
- Our portfolio agencies
- Overseas engagement
- Anti-Dumping Commission
- Anti-Dumping Review Panel
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian SKA Office
- Australian Space Agency
- Critical Minerals Facilitation Office
- National Measurement Institute
- Office of Innovation and Science Australia
- Office of Northern Australia
- Office of the Chief Economist
- Office of the Chief Scientist
Who we work with
Reporting and accountability
- Annual report
- Assurance and Audit Committee
- Budget statements
- Campaign Certification Statements
- Continuing Order of the Senate
- Corporate plan
- Deregulation agenda
- Freedom of information
- Gifts and benefits register
- Grants reporting
- Information Publication Scheme
- Our contracts
- Privacy impact assessments
- Public interest disclosure
- Senate Order 15: portfolio appointments and vacancies
Our online presence
Contact
- Publications
- News
On this page
Food sector

The National Measurement Institute (NMI) works with the Australian food sector on a range of metrology capabilities and services.
The main drivers of our work within the sector relate to:
- food safety
- nutrition and labelling
- supporting research and good governance
- aiding regulatory compliance
Request a quote or discuss your requirements for food and agricultural testing services.
Our work
We aim to deliver world class measurement solutions for a fair, safe, healthy and competitive Australia.
Our unique capabilities include:
- certified reference materials relating to steroids, antibiotics, trace elements, DNA standards for pathogens and organic contaminants
- proficiency testing programs relating to folic acid in flour, allergens in food, inorganic tests and pesticides in fruit and vegetables
Emerging work
As diets evolve and science is increasingly used in food production, we need to respond to new measurement challenges.
We work with government, industry and academia to identify and measure:
- food allergens
- persistent organic pollutants in foods
- nanomaterials and packaging quality
- function and safety of food-related products, for example, migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons from recycled materials into food
Our emerging work also includes:
- measurements in new and novel areas such as food provenance and fraud
- improved methods to accurately capture nutrients such as vitamin D and amino acids
- capabilities to address ongoing food safety risks to Australian consumers through rapid response solutions with fit-for-purpose analytical methods for incidents and emergencies
- analysis methods to ensure the safety, compliance and quality of hemp foods and medicinal cannabis
Research examples
Our work has direct implications for consumers, government, industry and the broader Australian economy.
We produce many influential scientific publications and presentations relating to food metrology. Our research is recognised globally.
Manuka honey
We chemically characterised manuka honey as part of a major study in 2016 on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries.
This characterisation enables screening and certification of honey as genuine New Zealand manuka.
We play a leading role in supporting the Department of Agriculture to determine effective and practical approaches to screening honey products entering Australia.
Bioanalysis of foods and raw materials
Our Bioanalysis Group offers a range of unique capabilities to identify species in rendered meats and bone meal.
We check for genetically modified materials in various commodities.
Our work includes screening stockfeed to minimise the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy – mad cow disease.
Food allergens
We have a strong history in the area of food allergen research and play a leading role in the international community.
We developed specialised methods for identifying the proteins responsible for allergic reactions to seafood. We have refined tests to detect allergens across a broad spectrum of foods.
We promote excellence in the field through the Allergen Testing Special Interest Group, Food Allergen Management Symposium and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Core responsibilities
We have a number of key responsibilities in the food sector, including:
- administering the laws that cover selling food by weights and measures in Australia
- food testing and analytical services
- physical measurement services
- laboratory quality assurance
How we meet these responsibilities
Food safety is a primary concern to our stakeholders and a driving force behind the work we do.
We provide leading measurement services to ensure food safety, including testing for:
- veterinary and other chemical residues in produce, dairy, meats and seafood
- bio-toxins in seafood
- food borne viruses
Trade requirements
We assist trade in the food sector by providing measurement services, reference materials, proficiency studies and contributing to accreditation activities.
Regulatory requirements and compliance
We assist food producers, growers, and retailers to meet measurement requirements.
We advise government regulators, monitors, enforcement agencies and standards bodies.
International food regulation
We take part in a number of international committees, such as the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling.
This ensures Australia’s international reputation in food measurement, safety and trade is upheld.
Food innovation
Measurement is an important tool for primary producers, food processors and packaging suppliers.
Our work helps to determine nutritional and functional parameters, productivity and yield outcomes.
Investigations of food
We help processors, retailers and consumer groups identify the nature of food taints, spoilage and foreign matter.
We profile food products for quality aspects such as flavour and odour.
NMI has a unique capability for investigating the presence of undeclared animal species in raw and processed meats, dairy and fish.
Consumer and media interest
We help consumer interest groups and Australian media to validate claims and follow up product safety.
Industry and other labs
We provide independent measurement verification and assurance to trading partners, regulators, industry and laboratories.
We are a peak body for advice to government in food metrology. We work with the following organisations:
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
- Imported Food Inspection Program
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
- Office of Gene Technology Regulator
- National Health and Research Council
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Food Innovation Australia
Collaborating with industry
We play a leading role in the following major programs:
- National Residue Survey
- Imported Food Inspection Scheme
- Australian Milk Residues Analysis survey
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) nutritional and food safety studies
Read more
- Learn more about NMI’s testing and analysis services
- Learn more about laboratory quality assurance, including proficiency testing and certified reference materials
- See relevant regulations and guidance
Connect with us
- Join us on Facebook @NMIAustralia
- Follow us on Twitter @NMIAustralia
- Follow the National Measurement Institute on LinkedIn
Contact us
- Email info [at] measurement.gov.au
- Phone 1800 020 076
- Write to us at: GPO Box 2013, Canberra ACT 2601
See also
- Browse our publications and data
- Learn more about who we are and what we do
- See how you can work with us as a student
Related news

- National Measurement Institute
Last updated: 8 December 2020
Content ID: 64618