Eat Safe Gold Coast is a food safety initiative for all licensed food businesses throughout the city.
Eat Safe Gold Coast enables businesses to promote themselves with a 'star rating' based on their food safety performance.
Food safety rating schemes operate alongside regulatory systems and have been effective in reducing food related illnesses in cities across the world.
Eat Safe star ratings
City of Gold Coast Environmental Health Officers conduct assessments against the relevant requirements of the Food Act 2006, the Food Safety Standards and good management practices to licensed food businesses throughout the city.
They have assigned a 'star rating' based on these assessments.
This will ensure the city's food industry continues to be among the world's best in safety standards.
Food businesses who achieve three, four or five stars can use the star rating to market their business.
Businesses can have their rating displayed on stickers and certificates so customers can be confident in the safety and quality of their food.
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Five stars
The business demonstrates a high level of compliance with the Food Act 2006 and excellent safety management practices. |
Four stars
The business demonstrates a high level of compliance with the Food Act 2006 and very good food safety management practices. |
Three stars
The business demonstrates a high level of compliance with the Food Act 2006 and good food safety management practices. |
Rating not displayed
There are a number of reasons why a business may not be displaying its star rating. It may be because the business:
- received a food safety rating of three or more stars but has chosen not to have its star rating made public
- is a domestic water distributor or short term, temporary food stall. These activities are not given a star rating
- is a food vehicle licensed in another local government area which does not have an 'Eat Safe' program
- sells food deemed to be low-risk and therefore does not require a food licence under state legislation
- received a food safety rating of less than three stars
- has not applied for a food licence, even though it is required to. This is an offence under the Food Act 2006.
What is not rated?
While consumers are familiar with star rating systems for a variety of business types, it is important to understand that Eat Safe Gold Coast is rating food safety practices. The rating does not take into account how 'nice' the food is, the quality of the service you may receive or the relative standard of the business (e.g. views, ambience, menu options, wine selection or availability of other services like high chairs, etc).
Search the Eat Safe Register
Find Eat Safe star ratings for Gold Coast food venues by searching our online register.
Search the Eat Safe Register
Eat Safe assessment details
What does the rating assessment involve?
The food safety rating assessment is very similar to the type of assessment food businesses have received in the past. City Environmental Health Officers undertake assessments of all licensed food premises and assess all food safety risks associated with the food business.
The results of the assessment will be formally documented and recorded. The food licensee or business manager will receive a copy of the assessment results.
The assessment is a collection of evidence of food safety performance and is collected via:
- visual inspections
- discussions with staff
- examination of any documentation that may support food safety standards, such as:
- an accredited HACCP plan
- an ISO 22000:2005 plan
- temperature records
- training records
- pest control schedules
- cleaning and maintenance records
- stock rotation schedules
- waste collection schedule.
Additional points are given to food businesses with good management practices, e.g. keeping of documents and records that show safety standards are being met and will continue to be met.
Recommendations or requirements for improvement will be documented and provided to the business in the report following the assessment.
How frequently will a food business be assessed?
City of Gold Coast visits all licensed food businesses at least once every 12 months.
Those who perform poorly are assessed more frequently. City Environmental Health Officers will also conduct further assessments if a complaint is received.
Benefits of Eat Safe
Food businesses:
- reward and recognition for businesses with good food safety practices
- gives the Gold Coast's food industry a competitive edge and improved safety standards
- assists food businesses to have a measurable understanding of their comparison to their competitors.
Consumers:
- provides consumers with confidence in the Gold Coast food industry
- locals and visitors will be able to search for venues and make an informed decision on where to eat based on star ratings.
City of Gold Coast regulators:
- encourages a positive relationship between food business operators and City Environmental Health Officers (EHOs)
- allows the City to focus officer resources in areas where they are most needed – by prioritising assessments of non-compliant food businesses.
Eat Safe for business
For information about how to participate in the program visit Eat Safe for business.
Food safety
All food businesses must maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The food they produce must be safe for people to eat.
If you believe that a food business is not following proper hygiene and cleanliness standards, please report it to us.