Food Premises and Preparation

NEW NATIONAL FOOD STANDARDS

 

Do you operate a food service, retail or catering business in the Shire?

 

New national food standards have been introduced across Australia by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). This new standard has been introduced to reduce foodborne illness by ensuring food is handled safely by food handlers with adequate skills and knowledge.

 

You will need to comply if your business handles –

  • Unpackaged
  • Potentially hazardous
  • Ready-to-eat foods.

Visit the Department of Health WA for food safety management tools for food businesses: www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Food-safety-management-tools-for-food-businesses

If you want to know more about the standards and if they apply to your business, go to FAQs here -

www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Food-safety-management-tools-FAQs

For training provider information visit www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Food-Safety-Supervisor-Training-Course

Free online food handler training is available on the Shire’s website www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/shire-services/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/food-premises-and-preparation.aspx

Contact Environmental Health Services at the Shire on 9175 8000 to get the unique discount voucher to apply the $35 discount.

 

Food businesses must implement the new requirements by 8 December 2023.

 

If you would like more information contact Environmental Health Services on 9175 8000 or by email [email protected]

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Food

For a comprehensive guideline to operating a Food Business or Temporary Food Premises, download a copy of the booklet below.

Food Safety Booklet and Operational Guide

Free Online Food Handling Training

Foodsafe Online is a recognised free online food safety training course that covers the required course content to meet the training requirements of the new national food safety standards 3.2.2A for food handlers. It is offered free of charge to residents of the Shire of East Pilbara. It is also a useful training tool for all staff working in a food business even if your business is exempt from the training requirements under the new standard, such as at a fundraising event.

Upon successful completion of the training course participants will receive a personalised certificate that you can save or print. It is recommended to keep a copy of this certificate that you can provide to your employer or an Environmental Health Officer during an inspection of the food business.

A step-by-step guide to getting started is available here - Information   Contact Environmental Health Services at the Shire on 9175 8000 to get the unique discount voucher to apply the $35 discount.

Click here to conduct the training now Training

Temporary Food Permits

Temporary food stalls must be approved by the Shire of East Pilbara Environmental Health Services prior to being set up in the town. Food stalls must comply with the Health Act 1911and the Food Standards Code. Guidelines for Temporary Food Stalls are available. Please contact Environmental Health Services on 08 9175 8000 for a copy of the guidelines and an application form to set up a temporary food stall.

All applicants must have completed the Food Act 2008 Notification/Registration Form and be registered with the Shire of East Pilbara or applicants provide a copy of Certificate of Registration Food Premise, if registered with another Council.

As from 1st July 2011, the following fees and charges will apply to all applications, including the Fortescue Festival, Mulla Mulla Markets, Bloodyslow Cup and other community events and sporting events.

Costs for temporary food permits (including GST):

  • Daily fee: $50
  • 1 week or part of: $150;
  • 1 month or part of $250;
  • Seasonal fee (up to 6 months): $350;
  • 1 year of part of: $600.

Reduced fees apply to Not for Profit Community Groups. Please contact Environmental Health Services for more information.

Public Liability (Certificate of Currency)

All applications must have a current copy of Public Liability for a minimum of 10 million dollars submitted with application.

Food Act 2008 Notification/Registration Form

The Shire of East Pilbara has been advised by the Department of Health , that the new Food Act 2008 has come into force in Western Australia. There are some changes to how food for sale is regulated in the state.

An important change is that ALL individuals, businesses and not for profit community groups involved in production, storage or preparation of food for sale must notify the local government of their activities.

As from 1st July all individuals, businesses, companies and not for profit community organisations selling food must notify the local government of their activities, the following fees and charges will apply.

Food business Fees and Charges 

Food businesses are assigned a risk classification based on the priority risk classification system developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and as adopted by the Department of Health WA. Food businesses are assigned a risk classification: high, medium, low and very low. The annual fees (including GST) below are intrinsically linked to the risk classification of the food businesses. 

  • High risk food business: $500;
  • Medium risk food business: $400;
  • Low risk food business: $250.
  • Home business: $100.

There are also one-off registration / notification fees upon application as a new food business. 

  • Notification of a food business (not-for-profit / community groups exempt): $50;
  • Home business: $100;
  • Low, medium and high-risk food business: $200;
  • Very low risk food business: $50.

Food businesses registered outside of the Shire of East Pilbara can provide a food business registration certificate from the relevant local government.

Application for notification / registration as a food business can be found below.

Food Poisoning Control

A guide to basic food safety practices for food businesses and traders can be found above.

Food Complaints

Complaints regarding food businesses, food handlers, food products or suspected food poisoning incidents should be reported to the Local Government in which the food business is located. An Environmental Health Officer will then investigate these matters further.

If possible, it is requested that the product or remaining portion be kept under refrigerated conditions to aid in the investigation of a food complaint or suspected food poisoning.

If you are making a complaint about food poisoning, it would be appreciated if you could please visit your doctor beforehand and request to be tested for food poisoning. There are many common types of gastrointestinal viral infections (e.g. norovirus) that cause identical symptoms to food poisoning. Having the tests undertaken will not only confirm that you have actually contracted food poisoning but it will also help us to identify the type of bacteria that has caused your food poisoning and the type of food that may have caused your illness.

Food Act 2008 Notification/Registration Form

Application for Temporary Food-Traders Permit Form

Application for exemption from the requirement to obtain a licence