Food safety is one of the most important processes to get right when starting up or running a business. Having a customer get sick after eating from your restaurant is every owner’s worst fear and the results can be extremely detrimental to a restaurant’s reputation and business.
It is a restaurant owner’s responsibility to ensure you and your employees receive the correct training and carry out the right processes to ensure food safety is always top of mind and actioned by everyone in the business – from kitchen staff, to servers, to cleaners.
Food safety laws and requirements differ for each state and territory in Australia. It’s of utmost importance that you familiarise yourself with local legislation and ensure your business is compliant. Failing to do so can result in serious consequences, such as a hefty fine and your restaurant being ‘named and shamed’, not to mention endangering the health of your customers.
All food authorities provide a suite of information and resources to help ensure you operate in line with relevant food and safety regulations:
NSW
NSW Food Authority
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/
1300 552 406
QLD
Queensland Health
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/
+61 7 3328 9310
VIC
VIC Department of Health & Human Services
1300 364 352
SA
SA Department of Health
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet
+61 8 8226 7100
WA
WA Department of Health
+61 8 9388 4999
NT
NT Department of Health
+61 8 8922 7152 or 1800 095 646
ACT
ACT Health
https://www.health.act.gov.au/
+61 2 6205 1700
TAS
TAS Department of Health & Human Services
1800 671 738
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) is the independent organisation across both Australia and New Zealand that develops the standards that regulate the use of ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins and minerals (1). Where ministers in Australia and New Zealand will set the policies for food regulation, FSANZ develops and administers the Food Standards Code, which is then enforced by the local state and territory agencies.
Some of the resources provided by FSANZ that are particularly useful for restaurants include information on food labelling, food incidents and issues, food allergies, food recalls, food safety standards and imported foods.
Read more at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx.
Australian Institute of Food Safety
The Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) is another great resource for the hospitality industry, collating information from various government and independent bodies to make it simple for businesses across the country to find information on food safety. AIFS provides quality food safety education and resources in a bid to help reduce food-borne illness in Australia.
Read more at https://www.foodsafety.com.au/
Food safety and delivery
Ensuring the quality and safety of meals extends beyond your restaurant; owners must ensure the correct processes are in place to ensure food safety is top priority for both dine-in and delivery customers.
For Menulog restaurant partners making their own deliveries, it is essential that food is kept at the right temperature until it is delivered to the customer, which can be regulated using the right equipment. All drivers should be using a commercial grade thermal food catering bag to carry meals on delivery. This is a mandatory piece of equipment required for food couriers operating on the Menulog Delivery Service network. Menulog has a range of high quality bags available for restaurants on the Menulog Store. Simply visit menulogmerchandise.com.au or contact [email protected].
Questions about food safety?
Our team is here to help! If ever you have a question about food safety please contact us.
References
Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2018
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