Food Safety

• Setting up a new food business
• Buying an existing food business
• Food Safety Programs
• Food Poisoning / Complaints
• Temporary Food Stalls & Events
• Food Safety Supervisor
• Useful Contacts
• Related Documents:

All food premises are registered and inspected by Council's Environmental Health Officers. In addition, samples of food are purchased and tested by an independent laboratory to ensure compliance with the National Food Standards Code. All complaints about food poisoning and unclean food shops / food handlers are also investigated by Council's Environmental Health Officers.

For the latest edition of the Food News see Newsletters.

Setting up a new food business

Everybody who prepares, stores or sells food has a legal obligation to be registered under the Food Act with the relevant local Council.

In addition to receiving the necessary Building and Planning Permits, you will need to submit two copies of scale plans to the Health Services Unit for approval prior to commencement of works.

"Guidelines for Food Premises Design and Equipment" have been developed to assist people establishing or altering a food premises. (see link below)

You will also need to prepare and submit a Food Safety Program for your business and apply for Food Act registration prior to opening.

Buying an existing food business

If you are buying an existing food business, it is advisable (but not compulsory) to organise an inspection of the premises under the Food Act prior to negotiating the purchase. Such a request must be in writing, and include the following:

• Details of the address of the premises to be inspected
• Details of the name and address where the report is to be sent
• Notification of any proposed refurbishment
• Fee of $190, for the report to be received within two working days, or $120 for the report to be received within 10 working days.
• Consent from current proprietor to release information to you (see link below).

You will also need to prepare and submit a Food Safety Program for your business prior to operating.

Food Safety Programs

A Food Safety Program must now be submitted by food businesses. A Food Safety Program is a written plan that describes how a food business will control, monitor and manage food safely. There are two ways of preparing a Food Safety Program:

Using a Food Safety Program Template

Various Food Industry Groups have developed templates. In addition, the Department of Human Services have developed two templates for Retail and Food Service Businesses. A copy of the template can be purchased from Information Victoria (Phone: 1300 366 356), or via the internet at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/bus/templates/index.htm

Alternatively, visit www.foodsmart.vic.gov.au to access the on-line version of the Department of Human Services template.

Writing your own Food Safety Program

Some businesses (such as large food manufacturers) may wish to write their own or employ someone to write their Food Safety Program. These businesses will then need to be third party audited.

Food Poisoning / Complaints

Council's Environmental Health Officers respond to customer complaints about alleged food poisoning, poor food handling or cleanliness and food found to contain foreign objects.

If you suspect you have food poisoning, please contact our office as soon as possible to allow effective follow-up. Any leftover food should be wrapped and stored in your fridge. You will be asked to explain your symptoms, onset time and three day food history. As part of the investigation, Council officers will also ask you to provide a faecal sample, if this has not already been done by your doctor.

If you have concerns regarding any of the following areas, please contact Council's Health Services Unit.

Information on 'doggie bags' including a sample sticker for doggie bag containers is available by clicking on the link below.

Temporary Food Stalls & Events

Please note if you are considering a stall outside any of the Bunnings stores, the Eltham store is covered by Nillumbik  or the Preston store (near Northland) is covered by Darebin .

A temporary food stall is a premises, not permanent in nature, such as a marquee, tent or demountable stall, used for selling food at an event.  These events generally include community markets, special or major open air events, fetes, street stalls and cultural and community festivals.

Guidelines are available for both 'Commercial Operators' and 'Community Groups & Non-Profit Organisations', proposing to set up and co-ordinatre temporary food stalls at events.  These guidelines help identify potential stall holders' legal obligations, as well as aid in the completion of the application form.  These guidelines are available from our three service centres.

At least 14 days prior to food being prepared or sold at an event in Banyule, a food stall operator must notify Council and apply for a Temporary Food Premises Permit (max. 12 events per calendar year).

If you are a Commercial Operator or Community Group & Non-Profit Organisation and would like to operate a food stall at more than 12 events per calendar year please contact the Health Department on 9490 4222.

If the stall or event is to be held on Council property (eg. footpath), contact must also be made with Council's Administration Department on 9490 4222.

Food Safety Supervisor

Every food business that has a Food Safety Program must also nominate someone to be their Food Safety Supervisor. This person must have a certificate or statement of attainment against the required competancies from a Registered Training Organisation.

For more information and list of training providers, access "Food Safety Supervisor, Competencies & Training" available at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/bus/skills_knowledge/ alternatively, contact the Health Services Unit.

Useful Contacts

Food Standards Australia - www.foodstandards.gov.au
Department of Human Services - Food Safety Unit -  www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety
Food Act  - www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au

Related Documents: