Edition 54, March 2008

Queensland food safety laws to protect the public

The Food Act 2006 came into effect in Queensland on 1 July 2006 and required businesses involved in the manufacture, preparation and sale of food to the public to have nominated a Food Safety Supervisor by 22 February 2008.

A Food Safety Supervisor is responsible for day to day food safety, and:

  • knows how to recognise, prevent and alleviate food safety hazards within the food business
  • has skills and knowledge in matters relating to food safety relevant to the food business
  • has the authority to supervise and give directions about matters relating to food safety to persons who handle food in a food business.

An enforcement amnesty will apply until 1 July 2008 to allow businesses time to train their Food Safety Supervisors and fully comply with the new laws.

The Food Act 2006 applies to all licensed food businesses and all other organisations that prepare or sell food. The objective of the Act is to ensure food for sale is safe and suitable for human consumption, to prevent misleading conduct relating to the sale of food and to apply the food standards code.

Some organisations are however exempt from having a Food Safety Supervisor, including:

  • community non-profit organisations that hold sausage sizzles and cake stalls
  • food businesses selling only low risk food such as soft drinks, packaged food and whole fruit and vegetables
  • people who prepare food in their home and donate it to non-profit organisations
  • food prepared in private homes as part of a home support service.

The maximum penalty for failing to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor is currently $3750. Businesses which fail to develop and implement an accredited food safety program are liable to a possible maximum penalty of $75,000.

Further information on Queensland's food safety laws can be found at www.health.qld.gov.au/industry/food/

This page was generated on 12 January, 2010

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