Local food service businesses who haven’t yet trained someone in their business as a Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) are being reminded to do so.
NSW Food Authority CEO Polly Bennett said the uptake of the program has been encouraging, however those businesses yet to train a person as an FSS need to make it a priority.
"I’d like to remind the hospitality and retail businesses covered by this program, which includes restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs, it is a legal requirement that you have a trained Food Safety Supervisor operating in the premises.
"A Food Safety Supervisor is the person in your business who is trained to prevent the hazards associated with handling and preparing food and holds the FSS certificate.
"They effectively provide the lead and set in place a culture of food safety for staff in your business.
"From 3 January 2014 businesses are no longer required to notify the Authority or their local council of their FSS details.
"The Food Safety Supervisor certificate will still be checked by officers at the time of conducting the regular food safety inspection of retail food premises, however the removal of the notification requirement simplifies and streamlines the process."
Incorrect food handling accounts for more than one third of foodborne illness outbreaks in NSW and is estimated to cost the community more than $400 million each year.
"Improving food handler skills and knowledge through recognised training is the most logical solution to reducing the risk of food poisoning," Ms Bennett said.
"Having an in-house Food Safety Supervisor to oversee food safety from the front line provides an extra layer of protection for consumers against the risks of food poisoning.
"The changes purely reflect a streamlining of the administration of this program."
