Standard 3.2.1

 

Food Safety Programs

 

 

(Australia only)

Purpose

 

This Standard is based upon the principle that food safety is best ensured through the identification and control of hazards in the production, manufacturing and handling of food as described in the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, adopted by the joint WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission, rather than relying on end product standards alone.  This Standard enables States and Territories to require food businesses to implement a food safety program based upon the HACCP concepts.  The food safety program is to be implemented and reviewed by the food business, and is subject to periodic audit by a suitably qualified food safety auditor.

 

Contents

 

Division 1 Interpretation and application

1                         Interpretation

2                         Application

 

Division 2 Food safety programs

3                         General food safety program requirements

4                         Auditing of food safety programs

5                         Content of food safety programs

6 Fund raising events

 


Division 1 Interpretation and application

 

1 Interpretation

 

In this Standard -

 

auditing frequency means the most recently determined frequency of auditing determined by the appropriate enforcement agency, or a food safety auditor, in accordance with the Act.

 

food safety program means a food safety program that satisfies the requirements of clause 5.

 

food safety auditor means a person approved as a food safety auditor under the Act as a person competent to audit the relevant class of food business.

 

Editorial note:

 

Jurisdictions may approve environmental health officers, private contractors, or a mixture of the two as food safety auditors.

 

monitoring includes checking, observing or supervising in order to maintain control.

 

2 Application of this Standard

 

(1) This Standard applies to food businesses in Australia in accordance with Standard 3.1.1 (Interpretation and Application) and subclause (2).

 

(2) This Standard applies to all food businesses that are determined by the appropriate enforcement agency under the Act to be within a priority classification of food business from the commencement date for that priority classification of food business.

 

Editorial note:

 

Under the Act, the appropriate enforcement agency must determine the priority classification of individual food businesses.

 

Jurisdictions may determine the mechanism by which a priority classification system and date of commencement is established, i.e. by regulation or declaration.

 

Division 2 Food safety programs

 

3 General food safety program requirements

 

A food business must:

 

(a) systematically examine all of its food handling operations in order to identify the potential hazards that may reasonably be expected to occur;

(b) if one or more hazards are identified in accordance with paragraph (a), develop and implement a food safety program to control the hazard or hazards;

(c) set out the food safety program in a written document and retain that document at the food premises;

(d) comply with the food safety program; and

(e) conduct a review of the food safety program at least annually to ensure its adequacy.

 

4 Auditing of food safety programs

 

A food business must:

 

(a) ensure that the food safety program is audited by a food safety auditor at the auditing frequency applicable to the food business;

(b)                     make the written document that sets out the food safety program, and the appropriate records referred to in paragraph 5(f), available to any food safety auditor who has been requested to conduct an audit of the food safety program; and

(c)                     retain copies of all written reports of the results of all audits of the food safety program conducted by a food safety auditor within the last four years, for inspection upon request by a food safety auditor who audits the food safety program or an authorised officer.

 

 

Editorial note:

ANZFA has developed food safety auditor approval criteria for food safety auditors in conjunction with the States and Territories.

 

5 Content of food safety programs

 

A food safety program must:

 

(a)                    systematically identify the potential hazards that may be reasonably expected to occur in all food handling operations of the food business;

(b)                    identify where, in a food handling operation, each hazard identified under paragraph (a) can be controlled and the means of control;

(c)                    provide for the systematic monitoring of those controls;

(d)                    provide for appropriate corrective action when that hazard, or each of those hazards, is found not to be under control;

(e)                    provide for the regular review of the program by the food business to ensure its adequacy; and

(f) provide for appropriate records to be made and kept by the food business demonstrating action taken in relation to, or in compliance with, the food safety program.

 

6 Fund raising events

 

A food business does not have to prepare a food safety program in accordance with this Standard in relation to fundraising events conducted by the food business, that is, events that raise funds solely for community or charitable causes and not for personal financial gain.