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Resource Centre

Welcome to the FSSQLD Resource Centre.

 

The FSSQLD Resouce Centre provides site visitors with 24/7 access to important food safety information and links. With this together with our BLOG, we hope to share our expert knowledge of food safety.

Food Safety in Queenland

     So, Who's responsible 

?Is it Federal, State or Local Government

Although it is Food Standards Australia (a Federal authority) that decides and sets the food safety regulations that apply across the country, it is State and Local Governments that are responsible for implementation and enforcement. So, if you own a food business in Queensland, then it’s important to know who does what.

FEDERAL JURISDICTION

It is Food Standards Australia that sets the over-arching standard for food safety in Australia, and it does so through the Australia/New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ). However, each state or territory is responsible for implementing, regulating, and managing the Code.

 

4 Parts

The Code is made up of 4 sections that deal with the vast range of activities that make up the supply chain for the food industry from primary production to manufacturing right through to the serving of prepared meals.

 

  1. Introduction and standards that apply to all food

  2. Food standards

  3. Food safety standards

  4. Primary production standards

 

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Food Safety Standards

Australia’s standards for food safety can be found in Section 3 of the Code and our Food Safety Standards are made up of 5 parts:

3.1.1 Interpretation and Application

3.2.1 Food Safety Programs

3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements

3.2.3 Food Premises and Equipment

3.3.1 Food Safety Programs for Food Service to Vulnerable Persons

 

Like the rest of the Code, regulatory responsibility as well as enforcement falls to each individual state and territory.

 

Food Safety Knowledge & Skill

In addition to specific operating standards, the Code places significant importance on the knowledge and skills of those in the food industry and the need for Food Safety Training. The Code requires a food business to ensure that all persons undertaking, or supervising food handling operations have the necessary skills in food safety and food hygiene.

 

While the Code defines the core competencies required across the industry, the relevant training curriculum along with the methods of learning and assessment are again left for the individual states and territories to determine.

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QUEENSLAND STATE LAWS 

Administrating the Australian Food Standards Code in Queensland is the responsibility of the Queensland Government and to do so, the State passed legislation called The Food Act 2006 (QLD). This empowers QLD Health with the authority to regulate, monitor and enforce these standards and defines how this authority is to be shared with local government councils.

 

Businesses that Require Greater Scrutiny

The Food Act 2006 (QLD) identifies certain food businesses that require tighter regulation and greater scrutiny. These are the food businesses that serve the vulnerable members of society. More specifically they are those that operate in childcare, aged care, hospitals as well as some catering businesses. The ACT requires these businesses to have an accredited Food Safety Program with regular audits by a Queensland Health approved Food Safety Auditor.

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It is a legal requirement for the food businesses listed above (those serving the vulnerable members of society) to have a Food Safety Program and it must be accredited and approved by the local government authority.

A Food Safety Program

So what is a Food Safety Program and what purpose does it serve?

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Put simply, a Food Safety Program is a structured document that identifies all potential hazards associated with the operation of the food business. It details the control points put in place to reduce the risk of contamination, the methods of monitoring and the action be taken if the control measures are exceeded

To be accredited, a Food Safety Program must satisfy a set of conditions as outlined in the ACT:

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  1. Systematically identify the potential hazards that may be reasonably expected to occur in all food handling operations of the food business.

  2. Identify where, in a food handling operation, each hazard identified can be controlled (a control point) and the means of control.

  3. Provide systematic monitoring of these control points.

  4. Provide for appropriate corrective action to be taken when that hazard, or each of those hazards, is found not to be under control.

  5. Provide for regular review of the Food Safety Program by the food business to ensure its adequacy.

  6. Ensure appropriate records are made and kept by the food business that provide an accurate and true record of any, and all action taken in relation to, or in compliance with, the Food Safety Program.

  7. Be accredited by the local government authority who will determine a schedule of food safety audits.

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The law requires the food business to engage a Food Safety Auditor who is approved by Queensland Health. Their role is to provide the food business with written advice on the Food Safety Program to be considered for accreditation. Once complete this must be submitted to local council for review and approval.

 

While this is mandatory for those businesses involved with the vulnerable members of society (as previously listed), having a Food Safety Program is voluntary for other food businesses. However, it is in the best interest of every food business to have a Food Safety Progrtam; regardless of who they serve. Having one, mitigates the risk of food contamination and is a valuable protective measure for your business, your staff and your customers.

 

A Food Safety Auditor

The law requires applicable food businesses to engage an approved 3rd party Food Safety Auditor. Only Queensland Health has the authority to approve Food Safety Auditors. To qualify and be approved to practice in Queensland, candidates must meet national strict criteria. There are approximately 75 approved Food Safety Auditors currently listed on the Queensland Health website. Their role is to:

 

  1. Provide advice to local governments regarding the accreditation of Food Safety Programs.

  2. Conduct scheduled audits of the business to ensure compliance with accredited Food Safety Programs.

  3. Prepare an audit report and provide copies to the local government and the holder of the accredited Food Safety Program within a legislative timeframe.

 

It is important to note that Food Safety Auditors do not have any enforcement powers and cannot require a food business to make any changes to their food safety program or the food business. Only Queensland Health or local government have the authority under the Act to direct a food business to make any changes to their operations.

 

Food Safety Supervisor

The Food Act 2006 (QLD) requires all licensed food businesses to have at least one designated Food Safety Supervisor on staff.

 

  1. This can be the licensee, proprietor, or an employee.

  1. They are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace.

  2. To qualify they must have successfully completed specific nationally recognised Food Safety Supervisor training.

  3. They must be reasonability available.

 

All food handlers have a responsibility under the Food Act 2006 to behave in a hygiene and appropriate manner and in accordance with the Australian /New Zealand food Safety Standards.

 

 

The Role of Local Government

Local Councils are the frontline and the primary contact for matters concerning food safety.

They have the authority to:

 

  1. Issue and manage food business licences.

  2. Enforce food safety requirements.

  3. Assess and approve food safety programs (accreditation).

  4. Investigate food safety complaints.

  5. Inspect food business in their area regardless of whether the food business is licensed or not.

Australian
Food Safety Standards

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an independent statutory agency established by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). 

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There are five Australian food safety standards:

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Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 are mandatory for all food businesses.

Queensland
Food Safety Regulations

Each state of Australia has it's own set of laws, and system to support and enforce them. These differ from one state to the next. Below are links to this of greatest important in Queensland. 

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