Food Safety Programs and Minimum Records
Food Safety Programs are an essential part of owning and operating any food premises.
What is a Food Safety Program?
Food Safety Supervisor & Food Handling Training
Do Food Safely - Free Online Food Safety Learning Program
What is a Food Safety Program?
A Food Safety Program is a written plan that describes how a food business will control, monitor and manage food safely, and includes relevant records to verify this. There are two categories of Food Safety Programs:
- Standard Food Safety Program - these are template Food Safety Programs developed by a food industry group or by the Department of Health. Refer to the Department of Health website for a list of registered templates or to download the free template.
- Non-standard Food Safety Program - this is when you write your own Food Safety Program or employ someone to write it for you. Many franchise businesses, large businesses, childcare and aged-care facilities have non-standard Food Safety Programs. Food businesses that use a non-standard Food Safety Program must undergo an annual third-party audit.
Food Safety Supervisor & Food Handling Training
Class 1 and 2 food businesses that have a Food Safety Program must also nominate a person to be their Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). This person must have a certificate or statement of attainment against the required competencies from a Registered Training Organisation. Food premises that have a Quality Assurance Food Safety Program are exempt from submitting evidence of the FSS training, as they are recognised via their QA system.
Class 3 food businesses are also exempt from this requirement.
A list of required competencies and registered training providers can be found at Food Safety Learning Program. Alternatively, contact Council's Public Health Unit on 9518 3555.
Do Food Safely - Free Online Food Safety Learning Program
The Department of Health has developed a free Do Food Safely online learning program for people who are currently working in the food industry or considering employment in the industry. Participants who score more than 90% on the program quiz are awarded a certificate of completion. Please note this training does not satisfy the requirement as a qualification of a Food Safety Supervisor.
You can complete the free online program at dofoodsafely.health.vic.gov.au