Food Safety

Food Business Notification

All food businesses that sell food are required to notify their local council by completing a Food Business Notification Form before conducting business.

Under the Food Act 2001 a food business is-

“a business enterprise or activity (other than a business, enterprise or activity that is primary food production) that involves—

a)  the handling of food intended for sale; or 

b)  the sale of food,

regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial, charitable or community nature or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only.”

Examples of food businesses include cafés, caterers, church groups, cinemas, food trucks, hotels, manufacturers, restaurants, service stations, supermarkets, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and home-based food businesses (e.g., making and selling cakes).

What are the legal requirements for food businesses?

All food businesses in South Australia must comply with relevant sections of food safety legislation including:

• Food Act 2001
• Food Regulations 2017
• Food Standards Code
• Public Health (Notifiable Contaminants) Regulations 2020

The Role of an Environmental Health Officer

Environmental Health Officers monitor, protect and promote food safety under relevant legislation. This is achieved through regular assessments of food businesses, monitoring of food recalls and investigation of food related complaints and alleged food poisoning. In the first instance, your EHO is there to give advice and educate food business owners and food handlers on appropriate practice.

Other agencies responsible for food safety in South Australia include:

• SA Health is primarily responsible for sampling, monitoring outbreaks, labelling, and monitoring food recalls.

• PIRSA administer the Meat Hygiene Act 1994 which affects all meat processing businesses such as butchers. Enquiries and complaints about these businesses should be forwarded to PIRSA on 8207 7964.

• Dairy Authority of South Australia licenses dairy food processors and dairy farmers. Enquiries and complaints relating to these businesses should be forwarded to DASA on 8223 2277.

Food Safety Training

Standard 3.2.2 requires that all food handlers, regardless of their food handling activities, need to have food safety skills and knowledge in line with the work that they do.

DoFoodSafely is a free online course that is available in multiple languages. Training may also be delivered from other online platforms, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), in-house programs or local government safety regulators.

Food Safety Supervisor

The supervision of food handlers tool requires all retail and food service businesses to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor who is available to oversee day to day food handling operations, help food handlers to handle food safely, and make sure food safety risks are managed.

The food safety supervisor must have been certified within the last five years. View the list of organisations who can offer food safety supervisor certification in SA.