Feedback welcome on food safety management standards

Following continued reports of foodborne illnesses, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is reviewing chapters 3 and 4 of the Food Standards Code to ensure there is a consistent and up-to-date approach to food safety management in Australia.

According to FSANZ’s information paper on its proposed approach, “the food safety standards have not been reviewed since their development in 2000”.

The review will focus on:

• the requirements for food safety management in the food service sector and closely related retail sectors;
• potential development of a primary production and processing standard for high-risk horticulture products to introduce requirements to manage food safety on-farm, including requirements for traceability; and
• new technologies that have developed since the original standards were developed.
   

Specifically, the paper said it will address requirements for food businesses to have:

• a food safety supervisor;
• evidence to demonstrate that key activities or control processes are being managed; and
• mandatory training for all food handlers.

“I encourage all stakeholders to comment on the proposed scope and approach of the review by 31 May 2019,” said FSANZ CEO Mark Booth.

“We are expecting to prepare a number of proposals to progress this work and there will be consultation opportunities during the proposal process.”

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