Who we are

Who we are

The NSW Food Authority is a State Government agency established in April 2004 to provide New South Wales with an integrated food regulation system. As Australia’s first completely integrated or "through-chain" food regulatory agency, the Authority is responsible for food safety across the entire food industry, from primary production to point-of-sale.

Before the Authority was established, responsibility for food regulation in NSW was divided across a number of State agencies. The establishment of the NSW Food Authority has created a more streamlined, consistent and efficient approach to food regulation in NSW and a single point of contact for both the industry and public. The Authority works with local government to better define and support their continuing role in food regulation.  

Our management and structure

Polly Bennett, Chief Executive Officer

Polly Bennett worked at a senior executive level for more than 20 years in both the public and private sectors and has strong business, communication and planning skills. She has experience in both State and local government with broad knowledge of the resources, agricultural and infrastructure sectors.

Most recently Polly worked at Caltex Australia, as Manager Government Relations. She has also held senior positions with the Sydney Ports Corporation and the ACT Government.

As CEO of the NSW Food Authority, Polly will ensure that the Authority’s strong performance in food safety compliance and community and stakeholder engagement continues to grow and develop.

Polly is also a member of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Board of Management.

Craig Sahlin, Executive Director Science and Policy

Craig Sahlin

Craig leads the Science and Policy Branch, which is responsible for advising on strategic direction, undertaking risk assessment, policy and program development and evaluation, and coordinating changes to legislation, including the food safety scheme regulations.

The Branch also administers the Authority’s Shellfish Program and provides scientific and technical advice to the other Branches. As Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Craig supports the Chief Executive Officer in the day-to-day management of the Authority and relieves her during absences and periods of leave.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Macquarie University and an LLB from the University of NSW.

Peter Day, Executive Director Compliance and Enforcement

Peter Day

Peter leads the Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement Branch. The Branch consists of four units being the Audit & Compliance Unit as well as specialist Enforcement and Food Borne Illness Investigation Units. There is also a Local Government Unit which acts as the primary liaison between the Authority and Local Council EHO’s and provides support services such as conducting food inspection training courses with Local Government. An important role of this Branch is to ensure the safety and integrity of the NSW food supply by monitoring NSW food industry compliance with regulatory requirements.

This includes enforcement of the Food Act 2003, Food Standards Code and the Food Regulation 2004, including labelling and advertising compliance; inspecting premises, vehicles and equipment used for the handling of food; auditing and verifying statutory food safety programs; and investigating consumer and food industry complaints.

A critical element of this role is the Branch's capacity for quick response in the event of a system breakdown. Two key areas of work are investigating foodborne infections and intoxications, in cooperation with NSW Health; and conducting, monitoring and supervising food recalls, in cooperation with FSANZ.

Peter holds an Assoc. Diploma in Food Technology from the Chisholm Institute, an Assoc. Diploma in Applied Science (Stock and Meat Inspection) from the Queensland Agricultural College as well as a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management from Flinders University.

Samara Kitchener, Director Consumer Programs & Communications

Samara Kitchener

Samara is responsible for industry communications, consumer programs, media and public affairs, online and digital communications, and the helpline.  Samara was awarded a Public Relations Institute Golden Target Award for the Authority’s Mercury in Fish campaign. Samara has travelled to Geneva as an advisor to the World Health Organisation to help develop guidelines on risk communication as a tool for managing mercury in fish. Samara has also held workshops in China on risk communication and food issues.

Samara holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology (Honours) from University of NSW, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Dairy Technology) from University of Melbourne and a Masters of Business Administration (Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Peter Sutherland, Director Local Government & Industry Partnerships

Peter Sutherland

Peter is responsible for the Authority’s industry liaison function, building the local government partnership arrangements and business planning. Peter holds a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology/Immunology from University of NSW. Mr Sutherland is acknowledged as an expert on the microorganism Listeria monocytogenes.

He represents the Australian dairy industry at the International Dairy Federation, and has written chapters for textbooks, including the “Green Book” (Foodborne Microorganisms of Public Health Significance) on Listeria and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and presented papers both nationally and internationally.He has represented Australia in international delegations to the United States, Europe and recently China.

Peter has been active in various professional and industry associations. He is a past Chair of the AIFST NSW Food Microbiology Group, Past President of the Dairy Industry Association of Australia (NSW Division), a member of Standards Australia Food Standards group, a NATA laboratory assessor, food safety standards development committees, International Dairy Federation representative and member of the International Association for Food Protection.

Lisa Szabo, Chief Scientist

Lisa Szabo 

Lisa leads the scientific aspects of the Authority’s business and keeps the Authority up to date with national and international developments in food safety. She is responsible for the Authority’s collaborative research, food survey, shellfish, risk assessment, science advice, business systems, information communication technologies and procurement areas. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Inc., the International Association of Food Protection (USA) and the National Association of Testing Authorities’ Biological Accreditation Advisory Committee.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy (Microbiology) from the University of Queensland. She has published articles in peer reviewed international scientific journals, written book chapters, guest lectured at universities and supervised students during their doctoral studies. Lisa was a research scientist with the CSIRO before she joined the Authority in 2006.

Samantha Torres, Director Policy and Programs

Samantha Torres

Samantha leads the Policy and Programs Unit, which is responsible for advising on strategic direction, developing and evaluating policies and programs, and coordinating changes to legislation, including the food safety scheme regulations. The Unit is also responsible for ministerial liaison and support, and corporate planning and reporting and input into national policy work.

Samantha worked as a project manager and compliance specialist in the private sector before she joined the Commonwealth public service. She was responsible for the development of investigation frameworks and standards, operational policy and strategy in Commonwealth regulatory agencies before joining the Authority in 2009.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Law from Macquaire University.