The Health Protection Service is responsible for food safety in the ACT. We promote food safety, regulate food businesses, develop food regulations and policies and provide advice and information for food businesses and the community.
The Health Protection Service is responsible for food safety in the ACT.
We promote food safety, regulate food businesses, develop food regulations and policies and provide advice and information for food businesses and the community.
ACT Food Safety Laws
There are various legal obligations you need to be aware of when preparing and selling food. These obligations are set out in the following pieces of food law in the ACT:
Some community organisations are not covered by the Food Act 2001 and are instead regulated by the Public Health Act 1997.
Please contact us to speak with one of our Public Health Officers about food-related complaints or concerns, or for advice on food business regulation and safety and hygiene requirements.
You can contact the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9700 or hps@act.gov.au.
Our fax number is 02 5124 5554.
Our office hours are 9am to 4:30pm on weekdays.
We are located at 25 Mulley Street, Holder ACT 2611.
Postal Address: Locked Bag 5005, Weston Creek ACT 2611.
If you require after-hours assistance, please call 02 9962 8612.
New Food Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools
On 8 December 2023, new Australia-wide rules will commence under Standard 3.2.2A of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The new Standard requires some food businesses to have 3 food safety management tools: Food Safety Supervisors, food handler training and food safety records. The table below summarises the new rules and what you need to do.
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What’s the new rule?
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What does my business need to do?
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Where can I get more info?
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Each business must have a Food Safety Supervisor.
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This rule is not new and has been in the ACT since 2013.
Your business should already have a Food Safety Supervisor.
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For more information on Food Safety Supervisors, visit ACT Health’s Food Safety Supervisors page.
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Businesses must ensure their food handlers have appropriate training.
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You must ensure all food handlers have the food safety skills and knowledge needed to do their job. Environmental Health Officers may check this during inspections.
If your business already trains food handlers in food safety, that’s great and you shouldn’t need to do anything to meet this new requirement.
If not, it is strongly recommended that, at a minimum, food businesses take advantage of the free online DoFoodSafely* training program.
If your business requires specialised or more detailed training, there are a variety of professional training options available in-person and online.
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For free training, visit the DoFoodSafely website.
Detailed information about the new Standard is on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Standard 3.2.2A info page.
For specific advice about your ACT food business, email the Health Protection Service at HPS@act.gov.au.
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Businesses that do ‘prescribed activities’ mustkeep Food Safety Records for those activities.
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You must make records of prescribed activities and keep them for at least 3 months.
‘Prescribed activities’ are those that involve handling potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food (unless the food handling is limited to slicing, weighing, repacking, reheating or hot-holding). Potentially hazardous foods are ones that need temperature control (foods stored ≤5°C or ≥60°C).
Records can be kept in many forms – written, electronic, photos, videos, notes on a receipt, temperature data logs, or any other way that can be kept for the required 3 months.
Examples of required records include food temperature record sheets, a cleaning and sanitising procedure and food receipt logs.
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For example food safety record templates, visit ACT Health’s Food Safety Training and Resources page.
Detailed information about the new Standard is on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Standard 3.2.2A info page.
For specific advice about your ACT food business, email the Health Protection Service at HPS@act.gov.au.
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The new rules aim to support food businesses to better manage food safety. If you are unsure about how the new Standard will impact your business, or have any questions, please visit the information links provided in the table or contact hps@act.gov.au.
