Food businesses: safety and inspections

Council has a legal obligation to inspect food premises and enforce NSW Food Authority requirements.

New food safety standard

A new food safety standard for retail food businesses came into effect on 8 December 2023.

The Standard was developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and applies to organisations that handle unpackaged, ready-to-eat foods including previously exempt school canteens and childcare centres. 

Starting a food business

All NSW food businesses (including Mobile and temporary food stalls) must register with Council details of where they intend to trade.  You can do this online via our Customer Portal.

Food safety supervisors

All retail, hospitality and food service businesses need to appoint at least one Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) per premises if food they prepare and serve is:

  • ready-to-eat
  • potentially hazardous, that is, needs temperature control
  • NOT sold and served in the supplier's original package.

Broadly, this includes all businesses selling potentially hazardous food to the public such as: cafes, restaurants, quick service venues, takeaway shops, pubs and clubs with food service areas, mobile vendors, home-based businesses, caterers, motels, and supermarkets selling potentially hazardous food (such as hot-chickens). It also includes outlets that sell food through third party ordering apps.

From 8 December 2024 the FSS requirement will also apply to:

  • school canteens
  • children’s services that provide meals, including out of school hours care
  • supermarkets
  • delicatessens
  • greengrocers
  • coffee vendors that sell unpackaged, potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food
  • boarding schools
  • correctional centres.

To be an FSS you must achieve the required unit/s of competency and key focus areas from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has been approved to deliver the NSW FSS program. View the list of approved RTOs

Or contact Council's Environmental Health Coordinator to enquire about FSS Training in your area: 1300 087 004.

Food inspections

Council conducts random, unannounced inspections of food premises across the Murray River Council area. These inspections determine whether premises are clean, food handlers have appropriate skills and that food is safely prepared and stored.

The NSW Food Authority has a partnership with the 128 local councils across NSW, who conduct regular inspections of retail food businesses in their local area. 

Council environmental health officers (EHOs) are authorised officers under the Food Act 2003 and check that good food safety practices are in place such as temperature control, cleanliness, hand washing and labelling. 

Generally, Council officers will assess the following as part of the inspection:

  • general items: that you appointed a trained Food Safety Supervisor (FSS), have an FSS certificate on the premises, and that food handlers have skills and knowledge to handle food safely 
  • food handling controls: storage, display and transport, processing, the risk of cross-contamination 
  • cleaning and sanitising, hand washing and proximity of facilities 
  • food temperature control 
  • pest control 
  • premises design and construction: issues such as water supply, disposal, adequate and safe garbage facilities and lighting 
  • food labelling: accurate and sufficient.

For more information about inspections and what to expect, visit the NSW Food Authority.

 

 

 

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