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 not subjected to poor food handling practices.

Food premises inspections

It is estimated that at least 1.5 million Australians suffer from a food related illness each year.

There are approximately 150 food business premises within the Whyalla City Council area. Routine inspections 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.

Routine inspections are subject to fees, see below:

• $94.00 (GST inclusive) for small food businesses;
• $235.00 (GST inclusive) for large food businesses (more than 20 full time equivalent food handling employees);
• NO CHARGE for community groups; and
• NO CHARGE for public event inspections.

Food business notification requirements

All businesses selling food are required to notify their local council. Under the Food Act 2001 a food business means a business, enterprise or activity (other than a primary food production business) that involves:

1. The handling of food intended for sale; or
2. 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 business even includes businesses like chemists, cinemas, corner stores, petrol stations and swimming pools, 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 Business Notification Form(58 kb)

Food complaints

Food complaints can be reported to council's Environmental Health Officer on 8640 3444 for investigation. Complaints may be made on a variety of food related issues which may include but are not limited to issues with; unclean premises, poor food handling practices, food poisoning, microbiological contamination and foreign matter.

For our investigations to be made more effective it is advised that you take the following steps:

1. Don't remove any foreign objects from the food if possible.
2. Keep the product in the fridge or freezer until brought into council.
3. Keep any packaging and proof of purchase of the product.
4. Record any details of this complaint, the date and location of purchase, where the product is stored and when the problem was first noticed.
5. Contact council as soon as possible after the event to allow the investigation to begin.
6. Fill in the form below to submit your complaint

Food Complaint Form

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. 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