Food Premises

Food Businesses

Whether establishing a new, or buying an existing business, it is important that you are aware of the various permits and approvals that are required to operate a food business. To register your food business you need to submit a completed food business registration/notification form and pay the applicable fee. If building or development approval is also required, these applications must be submitted at the same time and the applicable fees paid. As part of the assessment process, the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will arrange for a start-up inspection to take place prior to opening.All food businesses must comply with the following national regulations and standards:

All food businesses must comply with the following national regulations and standards:

• Food Act 2008 
• Food Regulations 2009
• Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code

Please use the Shire of Plantagenet application form to seek approval to establish, construct, alter and/or utilise a food business.

Temporary Food Premise

This includes market stallholders and temporary food stalls for events. Regardless of the size of your temporary food premise, you will need to meet minimum food safety requirements under the Food Standards Code of Australia.

Refer to the Safe Food Australia Info Bite – Temporary Food premises

Mobile Food Business

A mobile food business is a permanent structure which is built to be movable (ie coffee van). Regardless of the size of your mobile food van it needs to be constructed and fitted out in accordance with the Food Standards Code of Australia. It is important to note that a development approval may also be required in addition to the mobile food business approval.

Refer to the Safe Food Australia Info Bite – Mobile Food Businesses

Home Based Food Business

Only low-risk food products are permitted to be prepared for sale at an approved residential kitchen. Low-risk food products include flour based cakes, biscuits, jams, pickles and preserves. The premise must meet minimum food safety standards to ensure a safe environment for food preparation. It is important to note that a development approval may also be required in addition to the home based food business approval.

Refer to the Safe Food Australia Info Bite – Home-based food business

Food Business Inspections

The EHO regularly inspects approved food business to ensure ongoing compliance with legislative requirements and to protect public health and safety. It is important that inspections, where possible, are undertaken without notice to the operator; this is to give an accurate indication of normal operating conditions of the business. The schedule of inspections will depend on the risk rating of your premise.

Food Safety Training

All food businesses have obligations to produce safe and suitable food. The Shire of Plantagenet takes food safety seriously and is pleased to assist local businesses to meet their obligations by providing free access to an accredited online training program offered by Environmental Health Australia.

The FoodSafe training will assist food handlers to develop the required skills and knowledge to ensure food is handled in a safe and suitable manner. The training is easy to follow and includes a mix of informative presentations as well as interactive quizzes. At the completion of the training a personalised certificate can be printed and kept as part of your staff training records.

To complete the training visit the FoodSafe Online Website and type in the Shire of Plantagenet unique discount code ‘FSPLANT373’ when prompted on the payment details page to apply the $35.00 discount. You will then need to complete the transaction and follow the downloadable instructions to register and start the course.

A sample video of the FoodSafe Online training can be viewed below: