Woolworths Quality Assurance Update #138 March 2012

WOOLWORTHS
LIMITED
In this Issue:
General
• Pre‐Shipment Samples
• Delivery of Samples
• Internal Audit –
Product Scope
Verification
• Change of
Microbiological &
Chemical Criteria
• Audit Frequency
Variation
Nutrition
• Woolworths Palm Oil
Policy
Vendor Feedback
Charity of the Month
• Melanoma Institute of
Australia
Woolworths Quality
Assurance Update
#138
March 2012
GENERAL
Send all General Enquiries to: quality@woolworths.com.au
PRE‐SHIPMENT SAMPLES
Products submitted as pre‐shipment samples must be reflective of those products
to be sold on shelf as per the approved specification. Failure to meet the
specification may result in the pre‐shipment being rejected and further action taken
with product intended for stores.
DELIVERY OF SAMPLES
All samples to be delivered to Business Teams or QA members at Norwest Support
Office must be labelled correctly with the name of the Dock it is to be delivered to.
Ambient temperature samples are to be sent to Dock 1 and refrigerated or frozen
samples are to be sent to Dock 3.
INTERNAL AUDIT – PRODUCT SCOPE VERIFICATION
WQA certification is product specific therefore it is important to keep the product
scope for each site current and up to date. Vendors are recommended to include
verification of product scope in their internal audit checklist. This may involve cross
checking six monthly reports entailing the list of products despatched to
Woolworths against the products listed on the WQA certificate. Products supplied
out of scope will be raised as a MAJOR CAR at your audit. Any discrepancies
identified i.e. additions or deletions of products, must be corrected by either
advising the relevant Quality specialist or the Business Manager.
CHANGE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CRITERIA
Any amendments to the microbiological and chemical criteria on specifications
should be discussed with your relevant Quality Specialist/Officer. Justification for
these changes should also be provided (i.e. historical data, test reports).
Any queries regarding the WQA microbiological and chemical criteria, can be
forwarded to qalaboratory@woolworths.com.au.
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AUDIT FREQUENCY VARIATION
Vendors who wish to apply for an audit variation need to assess their eligibility
based on the How to Guide #2: How to Identify the Audit Frequency Required.
Eligible vendors need to apply in writing to their Quality Specialist for review and
approval. The Quality Specialist needs to receive the application 3 months prior to
the annual audit. Written approval for audit variation will be provided.
Once approval is provided, vendors are required to ensure they have their annual
audit prior to the adoption of the annual audit frequency. This will ensure the
reoccurring audit month (RAM) and the continuation of the WQA certification are
maintained.
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.138
March 2012
NUTRITION
WOOLWORTHS PALM OIL POLICY
Woolworths is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and has
committed to using only certified sustainable palm oil by 2015 (when palm oil is
used) for all Own Brand products to facilitate customer choice. To assist in ensuring
correct labelling is applied to products containing Palm Oil ‐
• Palm Oil and its derivatives must be declared in product specifications
whether added as a direct ingredient, compound ingredient or as an additive
derived from Palm oil.
Trade Partners are asked to provide the breakdown of palm oil and palm oil
derivatives, including additives derived from Palm oil in product specifications to
assist with commitments and labelling requirements.
RSPO Certification
RSPO Chain of Custody Certification ensures palm oil used in a product is indeed so
produced, and volumes are traceable through the supply chain by certification of
each facility which processes or uses the certified oil. That is, RSPO Certification is
required for all processes from grower to end user.
Where Palm oil or Palm oil derivatives are added into a product, vendors are
required to commence action towards the certification of sustainable palm oil.
Palm oil or palm oil derivatives which are RSPO certified can be purchased through 3
supply chain systems (4 certification methods):
• Segregated (2 certification methods)
• Mass Balance (1 certification method)
• Book and Claim (1 certification method)
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Vendors and their suppliers can certify production of palm oil as ‘sustainable’ by RSPO
standards by engaging independent RSPO approved Certification Bodies. The list of
current RSPO Approved Certification bodies for Palm Oil Production or P&C and
Supply Chain Certification is available at http://www.rspo.org/?q=page/512
More information and a Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet on RSPO certification,
is available at: http://www.rspo.org/files/pdf/Factsheet‐RSPO‐
ProducerCertification.pdf
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.138
March 2012
VENDOR FEEDBACK
Your feedback is important to us. Please email quality@woolworths.com.au with any
suggestions or topics you would like to see in future updates.
Page 3 of 8

PRODUCE SPECIFICATIONS
PRODUCE SPECIFICATION CHANGES
The following are changes in the Produce Specifications available on the Woolworths Website as of 12 March 2012.
Please refer to: > Topic Centre > Standards and Compliance > Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) > Produce Specifications
VEGETABLE
Potato Brushed Kipfler One
Potato Washed Kipfler One
Asian Vegetable (Leafy) Chinese Cabbage Green Baby
Wombok
Herbs Chive Punnet Various One
Herbs Dill Punnets Various One
Herbs Lemon Grass Punnet Various One
Herbs Marjoram Punnet Various One
Herbs Oregano Punnet Various One
Herbs Rosemary Punnet Various One
Herbs Sage Punnet Various One
Herbs Tarragon Punnet Various One
Herbs Thyme Punnet Lemon One
VEGETABLE
Celery Hearts Prepack
Pumpkin Pieces Prepack
FRUITS
Apple Red Smitten One
AUSTRALIA
AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION
General Appearance Criteria‐ Size
General Appearance Criteria‐ Size
General Appearance Criteria‐ Size
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
Consignment Criteria‐ Receival Conditions
NEW ZEALAND
AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION
New Spec Available Online
General Appearance Criteria‐ Size
AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION
New Spec Available Online
Page 4 of 8

QUALITY ASSURANCE FOOD / FRESH CATEGORY
Chandaka Ratnapala ‐Relief Chandaka Ratnapala ‐Relief Natalie Ellis
Lead Quality Specialist
Chilled , Fresh & Perishable Food
Lead Quality Specialist
General Food Grocery
Lead Quality Specialist
Bakery / General Grocery / Frozen
CHILLED GROCERY GROCERY
Chilled Smallgoods Breakfast foods & cereals Confectionary ( Seasonal , PL , Big W etc)
Cheese jams & spreads Biscuits
Milk Carbonated Beverages Desserts
Eggs Condiments & Sauces Water Ice
Juice Cordial / Drink Bases Cooking & Baking needs
Meals Ethnic Food / Mexican Snacks / Chips
Yoghurt LL Juice / Drink Nuts / Dried Fruit (produce & grocery )
Ready Meals Oils Commodity Chain
FRESH Grocery Prepared Meals FROZEN
Produce
Canned Fish / Fruit /Vegetable /
Pulse / Tomatoes
Ice Cream
Meat Water Non Carbonated Desserts & Pastry
Poultry Nutritional Snacks Entertainment
Deli ‐chilled Pasta / Rice /Noodles Prepared meals
Seafood / Sushi
LL Milk
FROZEN Tea / Coffee FRESH
Seafood Milk additives Bakery ‐ ISB & Prop & Grocery
Poultry
Vegetables
FOODS FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES‐
Baby Food Product
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GENERAL INQUIRIES (WQA, CAR’s, CERTIFICATES): quality@woolworths.com.au
QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM CONTACTS: FOR PRODUCT SPECIFIC INQUIRIES
Food, Liquor, Fresh
Alison Quality Manager – Food, Liquor, Fresh +61 2 8885 2305 / 0404 829 470 agallagher2@woolworths.com.au
Fiona Quality Specialist –Chilled / Fresh / Perishable +61 2 8885 1608 / 0437390445 fgrime@woolworths.com.au
Muliawy Quality Specialist – Chilled / Fresh / Perishable +61 2 8885 9958 muliawy@woolworths.com.au
Nancy Quality Specialist (New Zealand) – Chilled / Fresh / Perishable +64 9 255 2021 nancy.parker@progressive.co.nz
Chantele Quality Specialist ‐ Chilled / Fresh / Perishable +61 2 8885 4232 cestanislao@woolworths.com.au
Rowena QA Officer – Chilled / Fresh / Perishable +61 2 8885 4970 rhiller@woolworths.com.au
Chandaka
Relief Lead Quality Specialist – General Food Grocery, Chilled/
Fresh/ Perishable
+61 2 8885 2304 / 0402041963 cratnapala@woolworths.com.au
Peter S Quality Specialist – General Food Grocery +61 2 8885 3141 psriswai@woolworths.com.au
Kate QA Officer ‐ General Food Grocery +61 2 8885 9362 kwatson2@woolworths.com.au
Joanne QA Officer ‐ General Food Grocery +61 2 8885 2323 jchow@woolworths.com.au
Natalie E Lead Quality Specialist – Bakery / Grocery / Frozen +61 2 8885 2312 / 0400607026 nellis@woolworths.com.au
Juliet Quality Specialist – Bakery / Grocery / Frozen +61 2 8885 9371 jdelapaz@woolworths.com.au
Melissa Quality Specialist – Bakery / Grocery / Frozen +61 2 8885 2337 mpoon@woolworths.com.au
Sarah QA Officer – Bakery / Grocery / Frozen +61 2 8885 2359 shilder@woolworths.com.au
Sneh Quality Specialist (New Zealand) – Bakery / Grocery / Frozen +64 9 255 3886 sneh.lata@progressive.co.nz
Simon Quality Specialist (China) – Bakery/Grocery / Frozen +86 21 2325 0040 SYue@woolworthsproc.com.cn
Kevin Quality Specialist (China) – Bakery/Grocery / Frozen +86 21 2325 0040 kdong@woolworthsproc.com.cn
Kellie Quality Specialist – Liquor +61 2 8885 1632 klarsen@woolworths.com.au
Hardgoods
Scott Quality Manager – Hard Goods (relief) +61 2 8885 2303 swearing@woolworths.com.au
Tracy QA Officer – Hardgoods +61 2 8885 2299 tvincent@woolworths.com.au
Jason Quality Specialist +64 2 88853969 jholt@woolworths.com.au
Mustafa Quality Specialist +64 2 88858014 mmuharre@bigw.com.au
Juliana Quality Specialist +64 2 88857506 jmandic@bigw.com.au
Amanda Quality Officer +64 2 88858006 acook@woolworths.com.au
Renee Quality Officer +64 2 88858004 rroberts1@woolworths.com.au
Steve Product Standard Specialist +64 2 88858013 sheymann@bigw.com.au
Product Standards Specialists
Joelle Relief Product Standards Specialist +61 2 8885 1357 jday@woolworths.com.au
Natalie Ch Nutritionist +61 2 8885 2544 nchong@woolworths.com.au
Laboratory
Peter N Laboratory Manager +61 2 8885 3792 png@woolworths.com.au
Seema Laboratory Analyst +61 2 8885 3143 Skumar3@woolworths.com.au
Ashley Laboratory Analyst +61 2 8885 3792 awillis@woolworths.com.au
Christina QA Technician +61 2 8885 3792 cmoulding@woolworths.com.au
Administration
Pauline Administration +61 2 8885 2307 pmetcalfe@woolworths.com.au
On Leave
Hazel Product Standards Specialist Parental Leave
Belinda Supplier Compliance Parental Leave
Maisie QA Officer ‐ Bakery / Grocery / Frozen Parental Leave
Natalie C Quality Specialist (New Zealand) – General Food Grocery Parental Leave
Page 6 of 8

CHARITY OF THE MONTH
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.138
March 2012
Every month the staff at Woolworths Limited support charities through our
Charity of the Month program. Group QA would like to share with you our
involvement in Chartiy of the Month in honour of our dear colleage and friend,
Margaret Cole, who lost her two year battle with melanoma in March 2011.
We will be running various on site activities throughout April to raise funds for
the Melanoma Institute. If you would like further information, please enquire via
quality@woolworths.com.au or alternatively log onto the website:
melanoma.org.au
About the Melanoma Institute of Australia
• Melanoma Institute of Australia is a world leader in melanoma research,
treatment and education, and is dedicated to preventing and curing
melanoma.
• The Poche Centre, made possible by the generous donation of $40
million by Mr Greg Poche, is a purpose‐built, integrated cancer
treatment facility enabling the best possible care for melanoma patients.
Melanoma Institute Australia is a not‐for‐profit organisation which undertakes
ground breaking work into this potentially devastating cancer.
About Melanoma
• Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world and is often
referred to as ‘Australia’s cancer’.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians affecting
more individuals aged 15‐44 than any other cancer.
• Melanoma is the third most common form of cancer in Australian men
and women. Each year in Australia melanoma is responsible for more
than 1,200 deaths and around 10,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.
• Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma makes up
only 2.3% of all skin cancers in Australia but is responsible for 76% of skin
cancer deaths.
Page 7 of 8

Early Detection and Treatment Could Save Your Life
Over 90% of melanomas can be cured if detected and treated early enough.
Checking your skin regularly and knowing what to look for could save your life.
Look for:
o Change in shape or colour of an existing mole
o Increase in size of an existing mole
o Bleeding or itching
o Irregular border
o New mole or freckle
Woolworths Quality Assurance Update No.138
March 2012
Preventing Melanoma
• Minimise your risk of getting melanoma. The simplest, most effective way
to reduce your chance of developing melanoma is to protect your skin from
the sun.
o Seek shade, especially in the hottest part of the day and remember
sun can reflect off surfaces such as water, sand and concrete
causing sunburn
o Wear clothing that covers, at the very least, your back, shoulders,
arms and legs
o Wear a broad‐brimmed hat
o Apply a minimum of 30+, broad‐spectrum sunscreen at least every
2 hours
o Wear wrap‐around sunglasses
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