Food safety

We are committed to supporting safe food practices across our region. Food premises are regularly inspected to ensure they comply with relevant legislation, including the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the NSW Food Act 2003.

Food Safety Standards

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code sets out the legal requirements for food handling, hygiene, labelling and premises in all states and territories, including New South Wales.

Food businesses must comply with all applicable standards to ensure the food they sell is safe and suitable for human consumption.

What’s new in food safety

New laws under Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools applied from 8 December 2023 for food businesses that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food.

If your business prepares and serves potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food, you must

  • Have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor onsite.
  • Ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene.
  • Be able to demonstrate that the food you sell is safe.

If your business slices, weighs, repacks, reheats or hot-holds food made by someone else:

  • Have a qualified Food Safety Supervisor onsite.
  • Ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene.

These changes apply to most retail and hospitality businesses, as well as:

  • School canteens
  • Childcare centres and out-of-school hours (OOSH) services
  • Charities and not-for-profits that regularly sell food
  • Delicatessens
  • Supermarkets
  • Coffee vendors
  • Correctional centres
  • Temporary food stalls at markets, festivals or special events

     

Who you need to notify

1. NSW Food Authority

Under Food Safety Standard 3.2.2, all food businesses in NSW must notify the NSW Food Authority of their food-handling activities, unless they are already licensed by the Authority (eg under the Meat, Seafood or Dairy Food Safety Schemes).

Notification ensures that the authority can:

  • Maintain up-to-date records of food businesses
  • Provide alerts and updates on food safety laws
  • Schedule inspections to support compliance

Who must notify?

Any person or organisation that:

  • Handles food intended for sale, or
  • Sells food, whether commercially or through a community or charity event

This applies even if food is only sold or handled once.

How to notify

Complete a form on the NSW Food Authority website: https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/resource-centre/forms

Penalties for non-compliance

Businesses that do not notify the NSW Food Authority may face significant penalties.

2. Murrumbidgee Council

In addition to notifying the NSW Food Authority, all food businesses operating within the Murrumbidgee Council area must provide us with:

  • The proprietor’s name and contact details
  • The nature of the food business
  • The location(s) of all food premises used by the business

How to notify council

To register your food business with Murrumbidgee Council or to request an inspection, please contact our Environmental Health team on 1300 676 243 or email mail@murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au.

Scores on Doors

The Scores on Doors program promotes hygiene and food safety by displaying inspection results for participating businesses. A visible star rating helps customers make informed choices about where to eat.

Useful links

 

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