Certain food services, caterers and retail businesses must appoint at least one Food Safety Supervisor.
The Food Safety Supervisor requirement applies to businesses who handle and sell food that is:
- unpackaged (at some stage while under the business' control)
- potentially hazardous (must be stored under temperature control for safety)
- ready-to-eat (does not need further processing, such as heating or cooling, before being consumed)
- sold direct to the customer (or another business) for immediate consumption.
Examples of businesses that generally need a Food Safety Supervisor are:
- restaurants
- cafes
- takeaway shops
- caterers
- bakeries
- market stalls and food vans
- delicatessens
- seafood retailers
- supermarkets.
This is not a comprehensive list. The food handling activities that a business undertakes determine if a Food Safety Supervisor is required, not the business type. Moreover, businesses that only handle food for (or at) a fundraising event are not required to have a Food Safety Supervisor.
The Environmental Health Officer at your local council will tell you if your business must appoint a Food Safety Supervisor.
Appointing a Food Safety Supervisor
Businesses that are required to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) must do so before undertaking high risk food handling.
Your Food Safety Supervisor must:
- be trained to recognise and manage food safety risks
- have completed Food Safety Supervisor training with a Registered Training Organisation in the last 5 years
- have the authority and ability to advise and supervise other food handlers
- work on the premises and be involved in the day-to-day food handling operations of the business.
If the appointed FSS leaves the business, the business has 30 days to appoint a new eligible staff member as the FSS.
Food Safety Supervisor Training Requirements
Your Food Safety Supervisor must complete training:
- with a Registered Training Organisation
- in nationally recognised units of competency
- every 5 years.
You can find more information about food safety supervisors including training requirements, on the Department of Health website.
