(August 2015)
Food safety standards place obligations on Australian food businesses to produce food that is safe and suitable to eat. A food business is any business or activity that involves the handling of any type of food for sale, or the sale of food in Australia.
The standards, which also contain health and hygiene obligations for food handlers, aim to lower the incidence of food-borne illness.
Charity and community groups, temporary events and home-based businesses are exempt from some of the requirements in the food safety standards. These groups and businesses can contact their local enforcement authority for further information.
FSANZ has developed separate standards for food businesses in the primary production and processing sectors.
Note: Food businesses in New Zealand are required to comply with New Zealand’s Food Act 1981 and the regulations and standards under this Act. For more information visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
Food safety standards
There are five food safety standards:
Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 are mandatory for all food businesses.
Safe Food Australia is the guide to the mandatory standards.
