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Kilojoule Displays | Food Safety Resources | Licensing and Registration | Closure Notices | Register of Food Offences | Food Safety Supervisors | Helpful Food Links | Contact Us
Multicultural Food Festival 2013
Each stall MUST complete and submit a Notification of Food Business Form required under the Food Act 2001, before the 7th of December 2012.
The Health Protection Service has prepared the following Guides to ensure that stall operators have the correct methods of providing safe food to their customers.
| Download: | Food handling and food safety fact sheet - Multicultural Food Festival 2013 (PDF File - 650k) Food stall set up and requirements fact sheet - Multicultural Food Festival 2013 (PDF File - 553k) |
Kilojoule Displays
From 1 January 2013, certain ACT food businesses (e.g. larger ‘fast food’ and snack chains) will be required to display the kilojoule (kJ) content of their standard food items.
For more information on the upcoming laws, please visit the Kilojoule Display page.
Food Safety Resources
Food Safety Resources such as posters and information sheets provide a quick overview of the essential information you need to know regarding various food safety matters.
The Food Safety Newsletter “Act on Food Safety” is also available under the Food Safety Resources page.
‘Act on Food Safety’ is a routine newsletter developed by the Health Protection Service for local businesses. The newsletter helps to keep businesses informed about food safety including changes to the Food Standards Code.
All food safety resources are available for personal or business use to deliver food safety messages.
Safe Food Australia - A Guide to the Food Safety Standards
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (formerly known as Australia New Zealand Food Authority) has developed a guide to assist with the interpretation of the food safety standards in Chapter 3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The guide titled Safe Food Australia can be found on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.
Licensing and Registration
It is a requirement under the Food Act 2001 that all food businesses be registered in the ACT. Registrations are issued annually by the Health Protection Service. For more information about registering a permanent or temporary food business in the ACT, please see the Food Business Registration page.
Closure Notices
Food businesses if closed under a prohibition order for breaching the Food Act will have a closure notice displayed at public entrances. Closure notices are a transparency measure that is placed at the business’ trading site, usually on a window or door, informing members of the public that a prohibition order is in effect.
All closure notices are removed when the conditions of the prohibition order are addressed. Please note that the Health Directorate will not publish details of businesses served with a prohibition order or closure notice on this website.
Register of Food Offences
The ACT Government Health Directorate may undertake prosecutions against individuals or businesses that have breached the Food Act 2001. This information is published on a public register administered by the Health Directorate.
Food Safety Supervisors
To address the emerging gaps in food safety knowledge, all registered food businesses will be required to appoint a food safety supervisor from August 2013. A food safety supervisor is a person who has advanced training and knowledge in food safety and has the ability to oversee the safe handling of food.
‘Scores on Doors’
The Health Protection Service is exploring the possible introduction of a food safety rating scheme that would improve food hygiene standards and regulatory transparency.
The below Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), prepared by consulting firm KPMG, assesses the possible options, costs and benefits of introducing a food safety rating scheme in the ACT. Food safety rating schemes are commonly referred to as ‘Scores on Doors’ and are thriving internationally including some Australian jurisdictions. Examples of international food safety rating schemes can be found in the international study tour report below
It should be noted that there is no current requirement that food businesses participate in a food safety rating scheme.
| Download: | International Study Tour (PDF File - 2175k) RIS - Options to improve food safety in the ACT (PDF File - 853k) |
Helpful Food Links
Food Safety Information Council
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
Contact us
For general enquiries on food safety issues or to report a concern:
Phone (02) 6205 1700
Fax (02) 6205 1705
Emergencies (02) 9962 8612
Email: hps@act.gov.au
