Food Businesses
Starting a Food Business
What is a Food Business?
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
- the sale of food
regardless of whether the 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 the following:
- chemists
- cinemas
- corner stores
- petrol stations
- swimming pools
All food businesses, from major food manufacturers to a local church group that holds a one-off food fair, have defined responsibilities under the legislation to ensure the safety of food.
Food Business Notification
Before starting food handling operations all food businesses are required to notify their local council of their existence by completing this form Food Business Notification Form(493 kb).
If a business has food premises in different council areas then the proprietor must notify each of the relevant councils.
If there are any changes to the ownership, contact details, location or nature of the food business they must also be re-notified before the changes take place.
Mobile Food Vending Businesses
Mobile food vending businesses such as coffee vans are considered itinerant traders and are assessed against Council Policy 1.06.
To apply complete the Itinerant Traders Application Form.
Changes to Food Safety Standards
There are changes to food safety standards in effect from 8 December 2023.
The majority of food-handling businesses in South Australia will be impacted by a new Food Safety Standard (3.2.2A - Food Safety Management Tools) that has recently come into effect. Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A is an extension of the existing Standard 3.2.2 food safety requirements. It applies to all food businesses in the service, catering and retail sectors that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous food that is ready to eat. Generally, this includes caterers, restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, pubs, supermarkets, delis, food vans and other facilities serving food.
Impacted businesses must implement either two or three new food safety management tools, depending on their category (see image for reference), which is based on the risk of the food handling activities of the business.
The tools are:
- mandatory food handler training
- implementation of a food safety supervisor
- substantiation of key food handling activities.
All food businesses are required to be classified as Category 1 or Category 2 depending on the nature of their activities. It is recommended all food handlers visit Home - DoFoodSafely (health.vic.gov.au) and take the free test.
Affected businesses must be prepared for the commencement of the new Standard by 8 December 2023.
If you have any queries about how the new Food Safety Standard will impact your business, please contact Emma McDonald at the District Council of Tumby Bay on 08 8688 2101.
Further information can also be found at Home (foodstandards.gov.au) or Food Safety Management Tools - Standard 3.2.2A | SA Health.