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The Government says new food safety verification guidance will make it easier and more consistent for hospitality and food businesses operating across multiple locations.
Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says the changes are designed to create national consistency for multi-site businesses while reducing unnecessary compliance costs.
“Up to now, approaches to multi-site verification have differed widely from council to council and verifier to verifier, resulting in unpredictable costs for businesses,” Hoggard says.
“Verifiers check that businesses are following good food safety practices. The new guidance released today levels the playing field by setting out clear site-sampling guidelines for verifiers.”
National consistency for operators
The updated guidance means all sites within a multi-site registration will still require an initial verification, but only a sample of sites will need to be checked during future rounds.
For businesses operating under National Programmes, at least one-third of sites will need to be verified during each round, with all sites checked over three rounds.
Food Control Plan businesses will need at least half of their sites verified each round, with all locations verified over two rounds.
The Government says the changes will particularly benefit businesses previously required to have every site verified during each cycle.
Verification frequency will continue to be based on performance, with businesses consistently meeting food safety requirements facing less frequent checks.
Wider food sector reforms
Hoggard says the changes form part of a broader programme aimed at reducing red tape and improving efficiency across the food sector.
Recent changes introduced by the Government include free food safety training for small food businesses, reduced testing requirements for small-scale meat processors, lower compliance requirements for home-based cake makers and simplified rules for food exporters.
“We’ve made good progress already and are working hard on cutting even more red tape for food businesses,” Hoggard says.
Further reforms under consideration include simplifying food control plan templates, reducing compliance costs for low-risk businesses, streamlining record-keeping requirements and making it easier for businesses to export food products.
