Food preparation

• 23/11/09 Food from NSW restaurants, take-aways, bakeries, caterers, pubs and clubs will be safer to eat when legislation passed by the State Government this week takes effect.

Muswellbrook Shire Council carries out inspections of retail food premises for compliance to the Food Act 2003. This also includes temporary venues such as stalls at fairs and agricultural shows.

Matters which are investigated include

• Adequacy of construction
• State of repairs
• Sanitation and cleanliness
• Personnel hygiene
• Temperature control and
• Food storage management

With the aim to minimise the potential for food borne illness.

For information on development consent please visit the Planning, Building and Development section of this site.

The information below has been supplied by the NSW Food Authority:

• Donating food (34kb)
• Food allergies and intolerances (39kb)
• Food business notification (49kb)
• Food handling guidelines for temporary events (199kb)
• Food safety for caterers (26kb)
• Food safety in a flood, fire or power cut (51kb)
• Food skills and knowledge (100kb)

Other useful topics from the NSW Food Authority

• Red meat and safe handling. Outlines how to stop bacteria from speading by defrosting safely, making sure the juices from meat do not contaminate other foods, cleaning of utensils and more.
• Doggy bags. Outlines the health risks involved and how they can be minimised.
• Health and hygiene for food handlers. A food handler is anyone who works with food; food preparation, production, cooking, service, packing, display or storage. Anyone who works with food should be aware of their requirements.
• Charities groups and volunteers. If you provide or sell food for charitable purposes, including providing free food during emergencies such as bushfires, a sausage sizzle for a sporting team or you're selling lamingtons for a fund-raising event, there are certain exemptions that are made by the NSW Food Authority and other governing bodies. Volunteers need to know how to handle the food they are preparing safely, and in some circumstances the NSW Food Authority will need to be notified of your fundraising event.

Sanitation information from Food Standards Australia New Zealand:

• Cleaning and sanitising surfaces and utensils (38kb)

Legislation

The below information has been supplied by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand:

• Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements (39kb)
• Standard 3.2.3 - Food Premises and Equipment (20kb)

Link directly to NSW Legislation Food Act 2003

Associated link

Food Safety Information Council actively promoting food safety through the distribution of information to individuals and organisations

These A4 sized posters have been created to be displayed at food premises to assist food handlers in ensuring only safe and suitable food is prepared. The posters are designed to be laminated and displayed however they could also be included in your business's training material or food handling manual.

Remember to wash your hands (103 kb)	Safe holding temperatures for food (39kb)

Inspection fees are charges for the annual renewal of approvals as per Council's adopted fees and charges for 2009-2010 financial year:

Shows and events

Show and event inspection fee (flat fee for event administrators) ...$270

Health inspections

Per premises, for 2009-2010 financial year.

Administration fee for food premises (annual) maintaining register and reporting to government agencies and inspections...$150.00
Reinspection fees (for compliance)...$90.00