COMMONWEALTH & STATE FOOD SAFETY LAWS,

STANDARDS & CODES

 Food
Act

Food Safety
Regulations

Codes & Standards

(Food Standards Australia & New
Zealand) FSANZ (All states Follow)
LAWS, CODES &
STANDARDS
Food Safety Laws
 Mandatory requirements for businesses
and individuals in the food industry
 Non-compliance may result in legal
consequences
 Australian laws are made at 3 levels of
government: Commonwealth, state, or
territory and local.
Food Safety Codes
 Legally binding for businesses
 Regularly updated to incorporate new
knowledge and industry best practices
Food Safety Standards
 Voluntary, but recommended for
businesses to ensure consumer safety
FOOD ACT
(LAW)  The Food Act outline basic hygiene
and temperature requirements for food
handling and business.
 They also detail the role of
Environmental Health Officers
 FOOD ACT (LAW)

Compliance with Food Standards Code

• (1) A person must comply with any requirement imposed on the person by a provision
of the Food Standards Code in relation to the conduct of a food business or to food
intended for sale or food for sale
• (2) A person must not sell any food that does not comply with any requirement of the
Food Standards Code that relates to the food
• (3) A person must not sell or advertise any food that is packaged or labelled in a
manner that contravenes a provision of the Food Standards Code
• (4) A person must not sell or advertise for sale any food in a manner that contravenes a
provision of the Food Standards Code.

• Maximum penalty:
• (a) If the offender is a body corporate—$250 000.
• (b) If the offender is a natural person—$50 00
 FOOD STANDARDS CODE
Food standards outlines a wide range of areas, including:

Food Safety
 Sets safety standards for all food products to ensure they are
free from harmful contaminants and pathogens

Food Labeling
 Labeling of food products to ensure that consumers have
access to accurate information about the food they are buying

Contaminants
 Sets limits on the levels of contaminants in food products
 FOOD STANDARDS CODE

The following standards are a part of Food Standards Australia New

Zealand Code:
 Standard 3.1.1 - Interpretation and Application

 Standard 3.2.1 - Food Safety Programs

 Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements

 Standard 3.2.3 - Food Premises and Equipment

 Standard 3.3.1 - Food Safety Programs for Food Service to

Vulnerable Persons
 FOOD STANDARDS CODE
 The following are definitions relating to food safety hazards, according to Food

Standards Australia

 “Contaminant” - Means any biological or chemical agent, foreign matter, or

other substances that may compromise food safety or suitability.

 “Contamination” - Means the introduction or occurrence of a contaminant in

food.

 “Potentially hazardous food” - means food that has to be kept at certain

temperatures to minimise the growth of any pathogenic microorganisms that

may be present in the food or to prevent formation of toxins in the food.
 EMPLOYEE
RESPONSIBILITIES

While at work, a worker must:

 The hygiene rules and procedures set by the employer
must be followed
 Employees need to be always clean and tidy

 Any health issues that could affect food safety need to

be reported
 Any required protective equipment, such as gloves
and aprons need to be used correctly
 Prevent cross-contamination by using separate
utensils for different types of food
 EMPLOYER
RESPONSIBILITIES

 The hygiene rules and procedures set

by the employer must be followed
 Employees need to be always clean
and tidy
 Any health issues that could affect
food safety need to be reported
 Any required protective equipment,
such as gloves and aprons need to be
used correctly
 Prevent cross-contamination by
using separate utensils for different
types of food
 ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOOD STANDARDS
CODE

In Australia, local councils oversee enforcing:

 Supervising safe food handling and conducting random inspections
of food premises
 They can also establish grading systems for premises that comply
with the food safety standards
 They employ and detail the role of Environmental Health Officers

 They play an important role in keeping our industry safe for both
customers and workers
 ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOOD STANDARDS
CODE

The official title of the food inspector is called an

 Environmental
 Health
 Officer

In their role they:

 Investigate allegations of food poisoning where it has been reported
 Inspect or audit a food business’s food safety practices
 Provide advice on how to develop food safety systems
 However, they have two main rights
THE RIGHT OF ENTRY

 An environmental health
officer has the right to
enter your premises at
any time during normal
operating hours,
including in the middle
of service

 A well-run kitchen
should be able to always
maintain good hygiene
THE RIGHT OF INSPECTION

 An environmental health
officer has the right to
inspect all areas of your
business

 This includes taking food

samples, for the purposes
of testing for bacteria
levels
 FAILURE TO
COMPLY
Failure to comply with
food legislation can result
in

 Food poisoning

 Breach notice

 Fines

 Prosecution

 Closure
Any Questions?