New food safety requirements from 8 December

Published: 05 Dec 2024 8:01am

New food safety requirements covering school canteens, boarding schools, childcare centres, supermarkets and coffee vendors selling food will apply from Sunday 8 December.

Three new requirements have been introduced by NSW Food Authority for businesses, depending on their food handling activities.

Wagga Wagga City Council Environmental Health Coordinator Sharomi Dayanand says these include appointing a Food Safety Supervisor, ensuring food handlers are trained, and being able to show safe food practices.

“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,” Ms Dayanand said.

“Packaged food, and products like confectionary, are generally not included.”

Ms Dayanand said the requirements will help prevent people falling ill from eating unsafe food.

“Most of our local food businesses take food safety seriously,” Ms Dayanand said.

“These new measures strengthen practices and processes, making sure consumers continue enjoying their food knowing it’s safe to eat.

“Council is taking an educative approach by advising local food businesses of the new requirements and developing food safety newsletters, posters and food safety calendars.