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Labelling and providing information about food sold at fundraising events

Labelling and providing information about food sold at fundraising events The rules for the labelling of all foods sold or prepared for sale in Australia and New Zealand are set out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Food sold at fundraising events is exempt from most of these labelling requirements.  A fundraising event means an event that raises money solely for charitable or community causes and not for personal financial gain. However despite these general exemptions, certain information must always be provided when relevant. Other information must be provided if the customer requests it. There are ways that the required information must be provided, depending on the type of information and whether the food is…

Published 19 February 2018

Notifying your food enforcement agency

Notifying your food enforcement agency It is important that all businesses that make or sell food are known to enforcement agencies so that these agencies can ensure that food businesses are handling food safely. The food safety standards require all food businesses to provide the following information to the appropriate enforcement agency before any food handling begins:

• contact details for the business, including the name of the business and the name and address of the proprietor;
• the nature of the business; and
• the location of all food premises that are within the jurisdiction of the enforcement agency.

Published 5 March 2018

Preparing and cooking food

Preparing and cooking food In addition to this information, all people involved in the preparation and cooking of food need to read health and hygiene for food handlers. It is particularly important that you do not prepare or cook food if you are ill with diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Buying food When you buy potentially hazardous food, place it in insulated bags or boxes for transporting to the preparation place if it is not close to your shops. Place your potentially hazardous food in a refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible. See our…

Published 19 February 2018

Sausage sizzles and barbecues

Sausage sizzles and barbecues   Sausage sizzles and barbecues are a popular way to raise money for charities and community organisations. They are often held outdoors to take advantage of Australia's good weather and open spaces. Provided you take some simple food safety precautions and sell freshly cooked food straight from the barbecue, the food should be safe. Preparing and cooking food safely Take the following precautions at sausage sizzles and barbecues to ensure that food is safe.

• Finish preparing raw meat before leaving for the site such as slicing, marinating or skewering.
• Pack raw meat into insulated boxes with ice bricks for transportation.
• Handle food with tongs or other equipment. Use separate equipment to handle raw and cooked meats. Hands should not be…

  Published 19 February 2018

Food temperature and thermometers

Food temperature and thermometers The food safety standards specify that potentially hazardous foods must be stored, displayed and transported at safe temperatures and, wherever possible, prepared at safe temperatures. However, you can also use time, rather than temperature, to keep food safe. This method is explained under 'The 2 hour/4 hour guide'. Safe temperatures are 5°C or colder, or 60°C or hotter. Potentially hazardous food needs to be kept at these temperatures to prevent food-poisoning bacteria, which may be present in the food, from multiplying to dangerous levels. These bacteria can grow at temperatures between 5°C and 60°C, which is known as the temperature danger zone. The fastest rate of growth is at around 37°C, the temperature of the human body. The food safety standards also…

Published 5 March 2018

Transporting food

Transporting food When you are transporting food, you need to consider two main food safety issues: keeping the food protected from contamination and, if the food is potentially hazardous, keeping it cold (5°C or colder) or hot (60°C or hotter). Protecting food from contamination It is important to protect food from contamination by keeping it covered at all times. You can achieve this by using containers with lids or by applying plastic film over containers. Materials used to cover food should be suitable for food contact, to ensure that they do not contain any chemicals that could leach into the food. Aluminium foil, plastic film and clean paper may be used, and food should be completely covered. Packaged products should not need additional covering. Previously used materials and newspaper may…

Published 11 February 2016

Food business notification requirement

Food business notification requirement Chapter 3 (Australia only) Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code NOTE: The Food Safety Standards do not apply in New Zealand. The provisions of the food standards treaty between Australia and New Zealand do not include food hygiene standards. Under Food Safety Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, food businesses must notify the appropriate enforcement agency before commencing any food handling operations. Who does the notification requirement apply to? The notification requirement applies to almost every food business in Australia. A food business is any business or activity that involves the sale of food or the handling of any type of food for sale in Australia, with the exception of some…

Published 11 February 2016

Food handling skills and knowledge

Food handling skills and knowledge Chapter 3 (Australia only) Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code NOTE: The Food Safety Standards do not apply in New Zealand. The provisions of the food standards treaty between Australia and New Zealand do not include food hygiene standards. Under Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, the owners of food businesses are responsible for making sure that people who handle food or food contact surfaces in their business, and the people who supervise this work, have the skills and knowledge they need to handle food safely. The only exception to this requirement is for charitable or community fundraising events, which sell food that is not potentially hazardous or that will be properly cooked and then eaten…

Published 11 February 2016

Food safety standards - temperature control requirements

Food safety standards - temperature control requirements Chapter 3 (Australia Only), Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code NOTE: The Food Safety Standards do not apply in New Zealand. The provisions of the food standards treaty between Australia and New Zealand do not include food hygiene standards. Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements sets out specific requirements for keeping potentially hazardous food at specified temperatures and for cooling and reheating. Food businesses must comply with these requirements unless they can show that they have a safe alternative system in place to ensure that food stays safe to eat. Which foods have to be kept under temperature control? Potentially hazardous foods must be kept under temperature control.…

Published 11 February 2016

Health and hygiene responsibilities of food businesses

Health and hygiene responsibilities of food businesses Food Safety Standards - Health and hygiene: Responsibilities of food businessesChapter 3 (Australia only) Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code NOTE: The Food Safety Standards do not apply in New Zealand. The provisions of the food standards treaty between Australia and New Zealand do not include food hygiene standards. Under Food Safety Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements food businesses are expected to ensure, as far as they can, that their food handlers and anyone else on the premises do not contaminate food. Food businesses also have specific responsibilities relating to the health of people who handle food, the provision of hand washing facilities, telling food handlers of their health and…

Published 21 October 2021