New food safety requirements apply to school canteens, childcare centres, supermarkets, coffee vendors selling food and boarding schools next month.
The national standard mandating staff training and risk management procedures was enforceable to most food businesses from 8 December 2023, however, some business types in NSW received a 12- month extension and now have just weeks left to prepare.
The rules only apply to businesses that sell or serve ready to eat unpackaged food that needs to be kept hot or cold to stay safe – packaged food, and products like confectionary and cakes, are generally not captured.
Most outlets need to arrange formal Food Safety Supervisor training for at least one person in the business and ensure all food handlers have general food safety skills and knowledge.
Higher-risk businesses must also be able to show they are managing key food safety risks.
Mr Ken Ross, General Manager of Wentworth Shire Council said the standard aimed to further prevent people becoming sick from eating unsafe food.
Mr Ross said council would take an educative approach with local businesses as they transitioned to the new requirements.
For more information, visit the NSW Food Authority website https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/retail/standard-322a-food-safety-management-tools
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/wedding-steak-banquet-meal-event-4993027/
