Food premises

Food premises are regularly inspected to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

The NSW food service and retail food industries are regulated by the Food Standards Code which sets out the standards for food and food businesses.

What's New in Food

New laws for food businesses under Standard 3.2.2A

Recent changes to the Food Standards Code have introduced new requirements for all businesses that prepare and serve food in NSW.
From Friday 8 December 2023, businesses that process unpackaged, potentially hazardous food, and serve it ready-to-eat, are required to:

• have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor
• ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene
• be able to show their food is safe.

Businesses that only slice, weigh, repack, reheat or hot-hold potentially hazardous food they have not made themselves, for example for example slicing fruit or reheating meals provided by a caterer, are required to:

• have a qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor,?and?
• ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene.

The changes affect most retail and hospitality food businesses, as well as school canteens, childcare and OOSH services, charities and not-for-profits that regularly sell food, delis, supermarkets, coffee vendors and correctional centres.

NSW Food Business Notification

National food law, Food Safety Standard 3.2.2, requires that all food businesses in NSW notify the NSW Food Authority (the Authority) of their food activity details, unless those businesses are already licensed by the Authority.  For example, those businesses that are licensed under the NSW Food Production (Meat Food Safety Scheme) Regulation 2000, Food Production (Seafood Safety Scheme) Regulation 2001 or Food Production (Dairy Food Safety Scheme) Regulation 1999 do not need to Notify under this process as well.

Notification of food businesses allows the Authority to maintain a close relationship with all businesses.  For example it means you are informed and updated on changes to food legislation.

Since April 2004, fines have been imposed for a business that have not notified the Authority of their activity.  Fines include $55 000 (maximum penalty) for single businesses and $275 000 (maximum penalty) for corporations (Section 100, NSW Food Act 2003).

Who is required to Notify?

Any business, enterprise or activity that involves handling of food intended for sale, or the sale of food must notify the Authority.  Regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial or community nature; or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only, must by law notify the Authority.

For more information on who is required to notify please contact the NSW Food Authority.

Food Business Notification Form (PDF 233KB)

The Food Standards Code also requires businesses which sell any sort of food to be either licensed or to notify the Authority of its details (there are significant fines for failing to be notified).

Since establishment in April 2004, the NSW Food Authority’s work in these industries comprises inspections of notified businesses to verify compliance with the Food Standards Code.

Guidelines to improve the food safety of temporary food events and reduce red tape are available below  “Food Handling Guidelines for Temporary Events” covers markets and special food events across NSW.

NSW Food Authority Website

Food Safety Guidelines for Stall Holders

Food Temperature Monitoring Form

Food Handling Guide for Temporary Events

Scores on Doors hygiene program

The Food Safety Standards set out a framework for controlling potential threats to food safety. All food businesses are required by the standards to notify the following details to the relevant authority - Murrumbidgee Council. These details include the proprietor's name and address, the nature of the food business and the location of all food premises used by the business.