Food
Council’s Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) are involved in conducting routine inspections of these businesses to ensure compliance with the Food Act 2001, Food Regulations 2002 and Food Safety Standards as well as to provide advice and guidance on food safety to business owners.
What is a food business?
A food business is any business that handles or sells any type of food for sale, with the exception of some primary industry activities. Manufacturers, restaurants, take-away and supermarkets are clearly food businesses. Less obvious food businesses include bed and breakfast establishments, food stalls at fetes, cold stores, and service stations that sell packaged food and food provided under a contract of service such as supper served at a dinner dance or lunch served at a staff canteen.
Starting a food business in Kangaroo Island Council
All food businesses are required by Food Act 2001 to officially notify Council with a Food Business Notification form, before commencing operation of a food business or when ownership changes by means of completing and submitting a Food Business Notification Form. This information will ensure Council has correct and up to date contact details, location and the nature of the food business. The Food Business Notification form is only required to be completed once, unless the details of the food business change.
Council also strongly recommends that you seek advice from an Environmental Health Officer on the fit out or purchase of any food business before undertaking any upgrades of premises to ensure that your works comply with requirements of the Food Safety Standards.
Routine food inspections
Routine food inspections conducted by Environmental Health Officers involve an assessment of areas including:
- Receipt of food
- Storage of food
- Processing of food
- Display of food
- Packaging of food
- Transportation and distribution of food
- Recalls/food disposal
- Health, hygiene and knowledge of food operators
- Condition and hygiene of food premises
If you require assistance to interpret the Food Safety Standards, please refer to the Safe Food Australia as a guide or further information regarding food safety can also be obtained by contacting Council's Environmental Health Officer on 8553 4500.
Food inspection fee
Under section 11 of the Food Regulations 2002, Council’s can impose an inspection fee for the carrying out of any food inspection or audit. Please refer to the Schedule of fees and charges.
Enforcement
Where serious offences under the Food Act 2001 occur, Environmental Health Officers have the power to take any necessary enforcement action. Enforcement in which EHO’s can take include issuing expiations for non-compliance with the Food Safety Standards ($500-$2,500), as well as serving Improvement Notices ($750 expiation for non-compliance) and Prohibition Orders (closing food businesses) on food businesses.