Food Safety
As well as regular assessments of food premises, Council is involved in food recalls, investigation of food related complaints, food poisoning occurrences, provision of information and food premises notification requirements. A food business, regardless of whether it is commercial or charitable, must notify Council of their existence.
Food Business Notification Requirements
Permanent Food Business
A permanent food business is any business that handles food for sale within a permanent building / location.
It is a legal requirement that permanent businesses within the council area, complete the Food Business Notification form (below) before commencing any food handling operations. This information will ensure we have correct and up to date contact details, location and the nature of the food business. Any change of key personnel, address, telephone number, common or business name, or operating method, must be updated immediately.
Food Business Notification Form
Temporary Events
Temporary food stalls such as marquees that are used to sell food at occasional events like a fete, markets, shows and other community events and visiting mobile food vendors need to complete the Temporary Food Stall Notification Form below.
You need to ensure that there are handwashing facilities available along with adequate wastewater disposal, temperature control and suitable storage for the food.
Temporary Food Stall Requirements
Temporary Food Stall Notification Form
Home Based Food Businesses
If you are producing food at home for sale directly to persons and/or for sale to premises such as cafés and grocery stores and/or at events such as fetes and fairs, then you are a home based food business and applies to you.
A home based food business must comply with the same requirements as any commercial food business. Food businesses operating from a residential premises are expected to comply with the same Standards and Regulations as commercial food businesses. These Standards and Regulations include:
- Food Act 2001 (South Australia)
- Food Regulations 2002 (South Australia)
- Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
Generally home-based food business are only suitable for the production of low risk foods. For further information please see the FAQs section below.
Food Safety Inspections
Council’s Environmental Health Officer conducts regular inspections of all food businesses in our Council area. Frequency is determined by the assessed food safety risks and compliance with the Food Standards Code. For advice on compliance issues please call Council on 8623 0600.
Food Safety Training
Whilst there is no qualification required to operate a food business, you are reminded that as food handler you have a legal obligation to have enough food safety skills and knowledge to be able to serve safe and suitable food.
DoFoodSafely is a free, non-accredited, online learning program provided by the Department of Health Victoria and proudly supported by Queensland Health, South Australia Health and Tasmania Health.
DoFoodSafely is designed to enable you to understand how to safely work with, and handle, food in commercial settings.
Most sections include an interactive quiz. Upon completion of the program, a training acknowledgement form can be printed and filed as part of your food safety records.