Our Environmental Health Officers assess food businesses to make sure food is safe and that businesses are complying with the Food Act 2006.
The following information may help food business operators.
Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A – new
Australia has a new safety standard, Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A (Food safety management tools), which introduces new requirements for food businesses. It comes in to effect on 8 December 2023.
For information, visit Food safety standard 3.2.2A.
Free food safety training – new
We provide I'M ALERT food safety training to help food businesses meet their obligations under the Food Act 2006.
This training:
- is free, interactive and easy to follow
- helps food handlers develop the skills and knowledge to handle food in a safe and hygienic manner
- can be completed in stages up to a maximum of 30 days to receive a certificate on completion
- helps meet food safety training requirements for food handlers under the Food Act 2006.
For more information, to register and start training, visit I'M ALERT
Food safety programs
A food safety program is a written document detailing how a food business will control the safety hazards associated with its food handling activities.
An appropriate and well implemented food safety program can help a food business:
- ensure food for sale is safe
- manage their operations better through improved record keeping and cost control
- demonstrate that all due diligence was exercised in the preparation and sale of food.
Does my food business need a food safety program?
Licensable food businesses are required to have an accredited food safety program if:
- the food business involves off-site catering
- the primary activity of the food business is on-site catering at the premises stated in the licence
- the primary activity of the food business is on-site catering at part of the premises stated in the licence to cater to 200 or more people on 12 or more occasions in any 12-month period
- the food business is carried on as part of the operations of a private hospital or otherwise processes or serves potentially hazardous food to six or more vulnerable people.
For more information, go to the Queensland Government website.
Other food businesses that are not required to have a food safety program may choose to apply for accreditation of a food safety program.
How to apply for food safety program accreditation
If your food business requires a food safety program and the food business is already licensed under the Food Act 2006, you will need to complete an application for food safety program accreditation and submit along with your food safety program, and the notice of written advice completed by a Queensland Health approved auditor.
View the list of Queensland Health register of approved auditors
Food safety program accreditation application form(PDF, 185KB)
Amend an existing approved food safety program
You will need to submit an amendment application if you want to change the way in which food is handled in the carrying on of the food business to which the program relates, and because of the proposed change:
- the program will no longer identify the food safety hazards of the food business, and
- implementation of the program will no longer effectively control the food safety hazards.
You do not need to submit a notice of written advice for a food safety program amendment application.
Food safety program amendment application form(PDF, 194KB)
Food safety program compliance
Once your food safety program has been accredited by a City Environmental Health Officer, you need to comply with the processes outlined in your program.
You are also required to:
- keep a copy of the accredited food safety program at the premises of the food business. This should be kept available for inspection by employees in the food business
- organise your first compliance audit within 6 months of the food safety program being accredited. The audit must be conducted by an auditor approved under the Act
- organise regular audits at the frequency specified by City of Gold Coast.
Contact us
Email: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Phone: 07 5667 5988