Latest news with #AustralianPetBrands
ABC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian Pet Brands to upgrade Dubbo facility after chemical leak
A pet food manufacturer will spend more than $1.3 million upgrading safety systems at its facility in central west New South Wales after a chemical spill in 2023. Australian Pet Brands (APB), also known as Real Pet Food Co, has entered a legally binding agreement with the NSW Environment Protection Authority after 300 litres of phosphoric acid leaked from a drum inside a production tower at its Dubbo facility in August 2023, due to a faulty valve. The chemical, used to extend the shelf life of pet food, spread across multiple levels of the building and triggered an emergency clean-up by hazardous materials (HAZMAT) crews. EPA executive director of regulatory operations Jason Gordon said the enforceable undertaking, a legal agreement used as an alternative to prosecution, would ensure the company was held to account. "Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant," he said. "APB must pay more than a million dollars in major infrastructure upgrades to reduce the likelihood of similar events and ensure any incidents can be contained and addressed quickly and effectively." As part of the agreement, APB agreed it would relocate its acid dosing system to the ground floor, automate manual systems such as valve controls, strengthen containment and improve staff training and inspections. The company will also contribute $75,000 to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre to help repair and upgrade its model wetland learning facility. APB has been contacted for comment. Mr Gordon said the EPA would closely monitor the company's compliance with the agreement through detailed progress reporting. "These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they'll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored," Mr Gordon said.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aussie pet food company agrees to pay $1.3 million after 'serious' environmental incident
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has agreed to an undertaking from an Australian pet food company that it will spend more than $1.375 million on safety equipment upgrades following an incident at its factory. The legally binding agreement was made after 300 litres of phosphoric acid spilled from a drum at the Australian Pet Brands facility in Dubbo, NSW. The acid is a common ingredient in pet food, and often used in very small quantities to improve flavour or prolong shelf-life. But the scope of the incident was so serious, emergency HAZMAT crews were called in to respond, and they discovered the liquid had spread across multiple floors. Jason Gordon, the EPA executive director of regulatory operations, described the 2023 event as a 'serious chemical spill', which therefore 'demanded' a response from emergency services. 'Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant,' he added. Pictures supplied to Yahoo News show the plastic tank that overflowed was severely discoloured by the spill. It occurred due to a faulty valve inside the factory's production tower. What changes will the pet food factory make? Under the agreement, Australian Pet Brands, will spend over $1 million relocating its acid dosing system from the top to the ground floor. It will also automate manual systems and improve training to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. 'These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they'll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored,' Gordon said. 🥊 Aussie publican receives death threats after filming controversial act with kangaroo 🔎 Rare species with less than a thousand in the wild tracked down ☠️ Warning signs placed around Australian shopping centre after mass poisoning The company will also pay $75,000 to a local environmental charity. The EPA said the outcome holds the company to account while also helping to improve safety at the site. Australian Pet Brands has been contacted for comment. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
