Newsletter – September 2026
Latest articles
Honey Fraud- How It Happens and What Are the Options?
When a consumer picks up a jar of honey, they assume the label tells the whole story. But behind the scenes, honey remains one of the primary targets for global food fraud.
It’s not just about adulterated syrup—fraud includes packaging duplication, non-compliant labelling in independent retail, and unverified origin claims that undercut legitimate producers.
In her latest blog post, Clare Winkel shares key takeaways from the National Beehive & Honey Traceability Feasibility Study and breaks down what industry players need to know to protect their supply chains.
With regulatory shifts like the EU’s strict new country-of-origin blending laws coming into play, establishing verifiable transparency is fast becoming essential for market access.
Preparing for the Honey Flow: Maximising Springtime Productivity
For serious beekeepers, the arrival of spring is more than a change of season. It is the start of an opportunity that may only come once, or a few times, each year.
When the honey flow begins, there is little time to get colonies, equipment and management plans into place. The real work needs to happen beforehand.
Our latest blog looks at Preparing for the Honey Flow: Maximising Springtime Productivity, with practical insights for beekeepers who want to make the most of the season ahead.
If you’re managing productive colonies, planning your spring workload or preparing for a commercial honey flow, this is well worth a read.
The difference between being ready and being almost ready can have a significant impact when the flow is on.
NEWS
Fourth-generation beekeeper Sophia Croker speaks out about the industry’s struggles
When Sophia Croker was 18, she took out a $40,000 loan to buy 120 beehives.
Now she manages nearly 2,000 hives with her father, and documents her life on social media to help educate people about the industry.
Sophia says beekeepers need more support as rising costs, imported honey and varroa mite push the industry to the brink.
– ABC News
‘Humming’ road trains deliver millions of WA bees to varroa mite-ravaged SA
More than 7,500 healthy Western Australian hives are being transported across the Nullarbor to South Australia to provide vital pollination for almond crops. The movement highlights the growing shortage of healthy managed bees in Australia’s eastern states.
Western Australia remains free of varroa, but the large-scale movement of hives into a state where the mite is established is raising understandable biosecurity concerns among WA beekeepers.
The story also illustrates the wider economic consequences of the varroa incursion. With an estimated 290,000-hive shortfall for August pollination, the availability of healthy colonies is becoming an increasingly important issue for both beekeepers and Australian food production
– ABC News
The BQUAL App
The Bqual App has been specifically developed to assist Beekeepers in moving away from paper records and to assist the Bqual Auditors (Safe Food Australia, SFA) when performing the yearly/biannual Audits by enabling them to view a beekeeper’s records for compliance before an upcoming Audit.
Watch the YouTube video on how to implement the Bqual App into your Business
Our commitment to our members
At Bqual, we understand the trust you place in us, and we want to assure you that safeguarding your confidential data is our absolute priority. Board Directors do not have open access – the truth is, only our Managing Director holds the key to any sensitive information, ensuring a tightly controlled and secure environment for your peace of mind.
Our Bqual Board isn’t just made up of beekeepers; it’s enriched by professionals from other industries, bringing fresh ideas and proven skills that can truly benefit our community. We value your unique insights, and our structure is designed to support your growth without the worry of internal competition or information being used for unintended gain. For the past seven years, a testament to our commitment, there has never been a breach of your trust.
We know cost is a consideration, and that’s why Bqual stands as the most affordable quality assurance program available. We’re constantly evolving, introducing digital audits to save you precious time and money.
Quality assurance isn’t just a tick-box; it’s your powerful statement to buyers and consumers about your dedication to producing safe, high-quality honey – a commitment that builds lasting trust and strengthens your business in the long run.
Memberships
Just a reminder to B-Trace members that it is a requirement to conduct audits annually. It is simple to complete and forward the fillable form, signed declaration and other documentation through to SFA. Once completed and compliance has been demonstrated with the B-Trace requirements, the B-Trace certificate will be issued.
Minimising RISK with Fair Work and WorkSafe Claims against your Business
Every business in the country reports to at least 3 regulatory authorities:
- The ATO.
- Fair Work and
- WorkSafe.
The ATO is the easy one. The Accountant puts it in place and we follow the bouncing ball.
Fairwork and WorkSafe are the hard ones. With contains changes, the requirement for Policy, Process and Proof, it represents SUBSTANTIAL RISK for Business Owners.
If you would not dream of having an Accountant when these two regulatory authorities are the hard one, it is important to GET SUPPORT!!
Getting support
Considering the ever-changing HR and OH&S landscapes, it is important for Business Owners and Operators to stay ahead of the curve and understand the impact of legislative changes upon their business. It is also a statutory obligation for all businesses to have a compliant OH&S system.
It is our intention to both proactively and strategically protect the business owners and operators regarding HR and OH&S. It is important for us to assist our members in having the relevant Policy, Process and Proof to facilitate this.
That is why we work with you 24/7/365. It is also our intention that these systems assist with enhancing the return on investment form your labour fixed costs, which I personally feel more than covers the cost for this compliance.
We are here to take work off your table and provide you with the peace of mind and confidence that you are supported and protected as both a business and an individual.
We provide peace-of-mind and confidence.
Peninsula is “NOT” a Government organisation. We are a proudly independent company helping Business Owners proactively and strategically protect their businesses regarding HR and OH&S.
Let us take the load.
Peninsula will work with you to navigate and manage confusing workplace requirements. We are here to support YOU.
How does it work?
By advising, assisting and supplying robust Policy, Process and Proof, (record keeping systems).
We take a huge administrative component from your business. By customising and providing employment documentation including contracts, employee handbooks, employee letters and correspondence, performance management and disciplinary materials and a variety of other bespoke materials.
By providing 24/7 advice and support in relation to FairWork and Work Safe legislation, compliance, managing employment relations matters and holding difficult conversations. In fact, anything to do with Employment Relations and Work Health and Safety.
Providing access to our Award-Winning Legal Partner for legal representation.
Safeguarding our clients against the financial costs of workplace claims. This is subject to the terms and conditions of the attached PDS.
PLUS our BrightSafe and BrightHR Software Solutions, which can help you get on top of Work Health and Safety compliance, rostering, leave management, expense management and document management.
Additional resources for review
Please take a moment to view this short video clip.
Please also click on the following link for Trustpilot reviews. We have an excellent 4.8 stars out of five across over 1800 reviews.
https://au.trustpilot.com/review/employsure.com.au
With over 31,000 clients just like you, Peninsula is a brand you can trust at a price you can afford.
Get in touch for details and to sign up
Office: Phone: 07 4994 9820
B-QUAL email: admin@bqual.com.au
B-TRACE email: admin@btrace.com.au
Join B-TRACE QA and Food Safety Program
“Accurate record-keeping is the backbone of a successful food safety program.”
Food safety is crucial for maintaining health standards and ensuring that food doesn’t cause harm to consumers. One vital aspect that everyone involved in food production, from farmers, food manufacturers, and beekeepers must focus on is strict record keeping. Joining the B-TRACE QA and Food Safety Program is one way to help achieve this goal and enhance food safety practices by using the B-TRACE hive management app.
The B-TRACE program encourages small and medium enterprise beekeeping operators to put reliable, systematic practices in place to ensure that all aspects of food safety are handled correctly.
What is B-TRACE?
B-TRACE could stand for “Building Traceability Assurance for Compliance and Excellence.” The program is designed to equip beekeepers with the tools and knowledge they need to ensure food safety from apiary to consumer.
The primary aim of B-TRACE is to enable operators to track and monitor every aspect of honey production. This includes gathering, processing, packaging, and distribution. Keeping accurate records allows businesses to pinpoint any problematic areas before they lead to significant issues.
Why Join B-TRACE?
There are several reasons why being a part of the B-TRACE QA and Food Safety Program is beneficial:
1. Enhanced Safety Standards:
By joining B-TRACE, you align your practices with industry standards that emphasize food safety and quality.
2. Improved Traceability:
With the use of the B-TRACE hive management app, you can easily trace products. This is critical in the event of a food recall.
3. Better Consumer Confidence:
When customers know that a company is dedicated to safety, they are more likely to trust its products.
4. Regulatory Compliance:
Participating in B-TRACE helps ensure that your organization meets all industry standards and requirements for food safety and record keeping.
Statistics show that businesses with strong record-keeping are less likely to experience safety violations. Keeping accurate records allows companies to identify trends and improve their safety protocols effectively. As part of B-TRACE, you will have access to templates and software designed to simplify this process.
Benefits of Effective Record Keeping
1. Liability Protection:
In case of illness reports or food recalls, having excellent records can protect your business legally.
2. Operational Efficiency:
When everything is documented, it becomes easier and quicker to find crucial information, thereby allowing for better decision-making.
3. Employee Training:
Records provide a history of incidents and safety measures. They are valuable tools for training employees on food safety practices.
4. Quality Control:
Systematic record keeping can help identify areas for quality improvement.
Make the move now contact BTRACE via www.btrace.com.au or phone 07 4994 9820
Notices
B-TRACE Audits
If you have not yet submitted your online audit for the current year, please do so to keep your accreditation up to date.
The online audit form is available in the member section of the B-TRACE website or alternatively, contact admin@btrace.com.au and we will email one to you.
Once completed email back to the office.
Allow 5-7 days for audit review and issue of the accreditation certificate.
B-QUAL and/or B-TRACE logos
Pre-printed logo labels are available from the office.
B-TRACE 30mm lid labels full colour
$26.50/1000 (plus GST and postage)
B-QUAL 12mm jar labels full colour
$ 22.50/1000 (plus GST and postage)
If you are printing your own labels high Res’ artwork is available free of charge.
B-QUAL Self Assessments
If you have purchased your Approved Supplier Manual but have not yet submitted the self-assessments, you cannot proceed with further certification until self-assessments are submitted.
The assessments are in the first section of the manual. Complete both assessments and send to admin@bqual.com.au for review and certificate issue.
If you have any queries about assessments contact admin@bqual.com.au for further assistance.
Members section of websites
To access the member section of the B-QUAL and B-TRACE websites you need to create an account.
To do this email the office requesting an account for either website.
Once the account is set you will receive an email requesting to log in and change the initial password. Remember that you must have a separate account for the members section, your app or other passwords will not work.
Our Sponsors
We acknowledge and thank Steritech and the CMV Group for their valuable ongoing support of B-QUAL and B-TRACE which assists us to continue to participate in research and industry development works which we see as important to our industry.
Please support those who support us.
Contact details
General enquiries for B-QUAL & B-TRACE:
Office: All enquiries. Phone: 07 4994 9820
B-QUAL email: admin@bqual.com.au
B-TRACE email: admin@btrace.com.au
Newsletter disclaimer
Material and information published in the B-QUAL newsletter is produced for general information only. Although published in good faith, the company and/or any officer of the company will not be liable for any loss suffered by any person for action taken on the basis of such information.
