Introduction
As of 2024, the NSW Food Act has been updated to reflect the new food safety guidelines released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). These updated regulations, which were developed in conjunction by FSANZ and Australian states and territories as Standard 3.2.2A, involve stricter food-handling measures in response to research showing that the main culprit of foodborne illness outbreaks in 2018 was the food service sector. As of 8 December 2024, these new regulations apply to all NSW food businesses.
A food business as defined by Standard 3.2.2A is defined as any organisation that sells unpackaged, ready-to-eat food that is potentially hazardous. These regulations apply to nearly all food-handling businesses, from commercial kitchens in cafes, pubs, restaurants and food vans, all the way to places that open and reheat packaged food, such as food caterers, tuck shops, or after-school children’s activities that provide meals.
Whether you’ve been nudged by your employer to become your site’s new Food Safety Supervisor, are a past Food Safety Supervisor who needs to be recertified about the new standards, or wish to learn more about what being a Food Safety Supervisor involves, we’re here to help.
Here are some things to know first.
Important Deadlines for NSW Food Safety Supervisors (FSS) Certificate Holders
There are some key deadlines to understand Food Safety Supervisor courses and recertifications. These are:
- An FSS certificate lasts for 5 years from the date of issue. (Example, if you receive your certificate on 20 May 2024, it will expire on 20 May 2029.)
- After the FSS’s certificate expires, the business has 30 days to choose between two courses of action:
- Inform the employee with the lapsed certificate that they must complete a recertification course within 30 business days, or
- Appoint another staff member who possesses an up-to-date FSS qualification to be the site’s new FSS.
- Otherwise, an individual has 90 days to renew their FSS certification, which involves a shorter refresher course than the initial certification.
- If an individual’s FSS certificate lapses after the 90-day period, they will have to repeat their initial certification course from the ground up. They won’t be allowed to take any recertification courses.
What is a Food Safety Supervisor?
A Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) has an extremely important role in the kitchen. Their purpose is to supervise the food handling practices by the staff and business, ensuring that both comply with food safety standards and effectively eliminate food contamination risk.
The role also involves training staff in understanding food-safe handling, recognising food contamination hazards, employing surface sanitising procedures, and practicing personal hygiene so that safety requirements are being met.
The business’ FSS doesn’t need to be on site at all times, however, it’s recommended that they be present during all food handling procedures. In moments when they cannot be on site, they must be reasonably available such as by phone call or text message.
What Does Performing a Food Safety Supervisor Course Involve?
In this digital era, doing a FSS course to work in a commercial food business couldn’t be simpler. It’s a paperless affair that can be done completely online on a web browser. With AIA food safety course, you will answer straightforward multiple-choice and case-study questions which will cover topics included but not limited to:
- Introduction to food hygiene
- Identification of food hazards
- Food safety risks
- Controlling bacterial growth
- Handling food safely
- Preventing food contamination
- Personal hygiene
- Preventing cross contamination, and
- Hygienic cleaning practices
What do you receive upon completing a course?
The FSS will receive a Statement of Attainment and a NSW FSS certificate. Please note: one copy of the FSS’s certificate must be kept on business premises at all times.
What are Hazardous Foods?
Certain foods can be hazardous for consumption because they are infamous for supporting bacteria growth, toxin production, and must be stored/kept at specific temperatures to be safe to eat. These include:
- Cooked meat and poultry,
- foods containing eggs, beans, and nuts,
- dairy and foods containing dairy,
- cooked rice and pasta,
- seafood,
- sprouted seeds,
- cut fruits and vegetables, and
- meals containing potentially hazardous foods such as sandwiches, pizzas, and rice rolls.
If your food business handles any food that falls under the above categories, they will need to have an FSS on premises while food is being prepared and handled.
Penalties
As an FSS, it is extremely important that you comply with food safety regulations, as not doing so can result in fines, license suspensions, and even legal prosecution.
Businesses or individuals who work in food handling that are found guilty by a court of law for breaking food safety legislation are placed in the NSW Food Authority’s “Name and Shame” list for up to two years. The list is publicly available and often cited by news agencies for stories on disreputable food businesses.
This is why it’s extremely important to be up to date with food safety as a professional FSS. Remember, it can not only cost the reputation of your business, but also cost the lives and health of members of the public.
Outro
Need your Food Safety Supervisor recertification? Here at AIA you can get certified or recertified with our world-class online courses. Stay up to date with everything food safety by doing our recertification course, or if you’re brand new to the food-handling industry, we will hold your hand as we take you step by step through everything you need to know about being a Food Safety Supervisor equipped to handle professional food safety standards.