Food businesses that handle and serve unpackaged, ready-to-eat food requiring temperature control need to comply with three new rules set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Introduced on 8 December, Standard 3.2.2A of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code means most outlets that prepare and serve food in NSW need to have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor; ensure their food handlers have sufficient skills and knowledge; be able to demonstrate safe food practices.
Council's Environmental Services Manager, Dr Michael Roberts said currently all cafes, bakeries, pubs, clubs, restaurants and takeaways are required to have a Food Safety Supervisor. The new requirements will also impact on food businesses which previously did not require a Food Safety Supervisor.
"Childcare centres that provide food, school canteens, supermarkets, greengrocers, delis, coffee vendors serving food, and boarding schools will also need to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor, but have until 8 December next year to do so," Dr Roberts said.
"Importantly, fundraising events associated with charitable or not-for-profit organisations will be exempt from these new requirements. However, these groups will still need to ensure they sell safe food and meet the other requirements of the Food Standards Code," he said.
New requirements involving food handlers having sufficient skills and knowledge, and food businesses being able to demonstrate that food is safe, also came into effect earlier this month.
As the local authority of this national code, inspections being conducted by Council officers will now include the assessment of these key aspects to ensure overall food safety.
Dr Roberts said Council will take an educative approach with local businesses as they transition to the new requirements. If local food businesses have not looked at the new requirements, the time to do so is now.
The NSW Food Authority has a range of resources to help businesses – including the following link to a free online food handler training course.
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/training/food-handler-basics-training
The NSW Food Authority has also developed the following guideline to help food businesses navigate this new standard.
School canteens, children's services that supply food, supermarkets, greengrocers, delis, coffee vendors that sell food, correctional centres and boarding schools have until 8 December 2024 to comply.
