Food premises inspections, food complaints and food business notification requirements.
Consumers have the right to expect the food that they purchase and eat is protected from microbiological contamination, free from foreign matter and handled in a food safe manner.
Food business notification requirements
Food Business Notification Form
All businesses selling food are required to notify their local council. Please email the completed form to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au. Under the Food Act 2001 a food business means a business, enterprise or activity (other than a primary food production business) that involves:
- The handling of food intended for sale; or
- the sale of food,
regardless of whether the food business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial, charitable or community nature or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only.
Food businesses include businesses like chemists, cinemas, corner stores, petrol stations, home manufacturers and rec centres, if they sell packaged or any other type of food. Food businesses, from major food manufacturers to the local church group that holds a once a year food fair, have defined responsibilities under the legislation to ensure the safety of food.
Food business notification can be done by contacting council's Environmental Health Officer for a notification form or by downloading and completing the attached form. There is no fee of notification; however there are penalties for not notifying council.
Food premises inspections
It is estimated that at least 1.5 million Australians suffer from a food related illness each year.
Routine inspections of food businesses are carried out by the Environmental Health Officer to ensure compliance with the Food Act 2001, Food Regulations 2017 and the Food Safety Standards.
Inspection include assessment of the following areas:
- Food handling;
- Food hygiene;
- Cleanliness of premises;
- Pest control;
- Waste management;
- Fixtures and fittings; and
- Structural condition of premises.
Inspections are subject to fees, which can be found in the Fees and Charges Register on the Public Registers page.
Food complaints
If you have a concern with the food safety practices of a local food business, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer on 8640 3444 or email your concern to: council@whyalla.sa.gov.au. The Food Complaint Form can also be used.
If you suspect you have food poisoning please consult a doctor as soon as possible. If food poisoning infection is confirmed, the doctor will report their findings to SA Health.
More information about food complaints is available on the SA Health website.
Temporary events
Many temporary events involving the sale or supply of food occur in the community each year examples of such events include; community fundraisers, cake stalls, school fetes, charity events, sausage sizzles, festivals, shows and concerts. Charities and community groups that regularly run these events should notify Environmental Health using the Food Business Notification form.
If you are hosting or are part of a temporary event there are safety measures that should be considered. These are included in the Whyalla City Council Guidelines for temporary food premises