Food Safety

The Food Act 1984 regulates the sale of food for human consumption in Victoria in businesses, clubs and community groups that sell food. It attempts to match the level of regulation to the level of risk with the different food activities.

All food businesses that have been classified by council as Class 1 or Class 2 must have a Food Safety Program. A Food Safety Program is a written plan that shows what your club is doing to manage the safety of the food you prepare, serve, manufacture and sell. If your club requires a Food Safety Program, you must ensure you have one that is complete and appropriate for your food related activities, and that a copy is kept on the club premises.

A food business classification tool is used to provide a consistent approach to the categorisation of food premises by councils. Most clubs that sell food are likely to fall under Class 2 food service but use this link to identify the classification appropriate for your club’s food operations.

Food businesses that have been classified by council as either a Class 3 or Class 4 do not require a Food Safety Program. For example, businesses that only handle low-risk unpackaged food or sell pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods. However, we recommend clubs always first speak to their local council to find out what their Food Safety Program obligations are.

All food businesses that have been classified as Class 1 or Class 2 must also have a Food Safety Supervisor. A Food Safety Supervisor must have the food safety skills and knowledge appropriate to the food handling processes conducted at the club. The Food Safety Supervisor must ensure all staff members who handle food have the skills and knowledge required to keep the food they handle and sell safe for human consumption.

The national Food Standards Code is a collection of individual food standards developed jointly by Australia and New Zealand. It is a criminal offence in Australia to supply food that does not comply with relevant food standards.

All staff in the club who handle and prepare food for sale to consumers are responsible for food safety.

Food Safety Templates and Records

Foodsmart is the Victorian Department of Health approved template that allows different types of food businesses to develop their own Food Safety Program. Class 1 and 2 Victorian food premises are legally required to have a Food Safety Program.

FoodSmart is designed for Class 2 food service and food retail businesses. By answering a short series of questions about your club’s food activities, FoodSmart will quickly create a Food Safety Program that is tailored to your club’s food business. Your Food Safety Program can then be saved, printed and used to help maintain safe food practices and meet your legal obligations.

Using this program provides club managers with a level of confidence that staff are meeting food compliance requirements, even as they are amended or updated. Another benefit is that you do not need to tailor generic templates, Foodsmart does that for you.

The Department also provides a variety of food safety templates

Below you will find Word document versions of the most commonly required food safety templates that you can tailor for your clubs use and photocopy as required.

CCAV Food Safety Record Templates

Food Safety: Training, Skills & Knowledge

Everyone who works with food in your club is responsible for ensuring that the food they sell or prepare for sale is safe for human consumption. The Victorian Department of helath offers a free online food handler learning program -Do Food Safely

The following websites will help you find out more about food safety and appropriate training courses for your club.

Food Handler training
What food handlers need to know to maintain food safety in your club.
Food Safety Supervisor requirements
Food safety supervisor requirements, including what training is needed and how to find a training provider.
Food Safety Supervisor – FAQs
Information for Food Analysts

CCAV Partner Leigh Barrett and Associates also provide a range of food safety services including on-site audits and inspections, food safety program review and updates. To arrange an on-site inspection or program review call 9494-1642 or email info@lbarrettandassoc.com.au

Food Fundraisers

Clubs, voluntary associations and community groups that sell food to raise funds must ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat. The risk of food becoming unsafe depends on the type of food, and how and where it is stored, prepared, handled and transported.

If a volunteer makes food at home and donates it for sale at a community fundraiser, that person is not deemed to be selling food.

For advice on practical steps to ensure food safety, and to learn more about your responsibilities as a food fundraiser, please review the following flyer

Food fundraisers

Sausage sizzle fundraisers are comparitively low risk ( assuming sausages, onions, sauce and bread only). However, it is still necessary to complete a notification form which can be obtained from your local council.