Food Safety Supervisor and Training
Food safety supervisor program
Formalising skills & knowledge
Introduced in 2010, the purpose of the mandatory food safety supervisor program is to help safeguard NSW consumers from foodborne illness.
The initiative requires certain businesses in the hospitality and retail food service sector to appoint at least one trained food safety supervisor.
Scope & impacts
The food safety supervisor requirement applies to businesses serving food that is:
• ready to eat
• potentially hazardous, and
• not sold and served in its package
This includes restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, caterers, bakeries, pubs, clubs, hotels, temporary premises (eg food market stalls), mobile food vendors and supermarket hot food sales.
Some businesses will be exempt, as listed in the current information for industry. (http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/fss-food-safety-supervisors/)
Food safety supervisors will need to receive training in units of competency within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, and hold a food safety supervisor certificate. The units required are listed in the FSS guidelines (http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/industry_pdf/fss_guidelin... )
Food Act 2003 (NSW) requires certain food businesses in the NSW hospitality and retail food service sector to have at least one trained Food Safety Supervisor (FSS).
Impacted businesses that do not have a FSS are risking a fine.
The NSW Food Authority’s FSS program was established to help reduce foodborne illness in the hospitality and retail food service sectors in NSW by improving food handler skills and knowledge.
A major role of the program is to provide food businesses with high quality and consistent training by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that have been approved by the Authority.
Importance of a Food Safety Supervisor
The aim of an FSS is to prevent individuals from becoming ill from food poisoning as a result of incorrect handling and preparation of food.
Statistics show that incorrect food handling practices in retail food businesses account for more than one-third of foodborne illness outbreaks in NSW, costing the community hundreds of millions of dollars each year in healthcare and lost revenue.
Appointing an FSS gives food businesses a better level of onsite protection for food safety, and gives consumers peace-of-mind when dining out or buying food in NSW.
Businesses affected
The Food Safety Supervisor requirement applies to businesses serving food that is:
• ready-to-eat,
• potentially hazardous, and
• not sold and served in its package.
Examples of businesses* include: restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, caterers, bakeries, pubs, clubs, hotels and supermarket hot food sales.
* Note
This is not a comprehensive list. Other businesses that serve food that meets the above criteria and provide accommodation, service or entertainment where there is an inclusive charge which covers the food supplied, would also fall under the FSS legislation. For example, B & B’s, motels, hotels and entertainment venues.
Exempt businesses
The Food Safety Supervisor requirement does not apply to businesses licensed by the Authority.
Nor does it apply to:
• coffee vendors that only heat milk
• not-for-profit community and charitable causes
• school canteens (primary or secondary)
• boarding schools
• childrens service (childcare centres)
• out of school hours care services
• correctional centres
• supermarkets (if heated food is not sold)
• food business premises that only do one or more of the following activities only:
Guideline document
Guideline to Food Safety Supervisor Requirements is a simple ‘how to’ guide on complying with FSS legislation.
To Access the guidelines to Food Safety Supervisor Requirements, please click here :-
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/industry_pdf/fss_guidelin...
Units of competency
Each appointed Food Safety Supervisor needs to be trained in certain nationally recognised units of competency and hold a FSS certificate.
Training requirements are:
Hospitality and retail food service
Note: The legislation requires refresher training every 5 years. The requirements for refresher training are still being determined. Information will be updated when available.
Recognition of current competency (previously known as ‘Recognition of prior learning’ or RPL)
To be eligible for an FSS certificate you must meet one of the criteria listed below:
• all of the required units were attained from any RTO in Australia prior to 31 August 2010 and within five years from date of request.
• all of the required units were attained from any RTO in Australia as a completed vocational qualification (eg Cert IV Commercial Cookery) within five years from date of request.
• all of the required units were attained from an interstate RTO (not registered in NSW) where the training was delivered in person only (face-to-face) at a location outside of NSW after 31 August 2010.
• some of the required units were attained prior to 31 August 2010 and within five years from date of request from an RTO registered in NSW. The other units were attained after 31 August 2010 from an interstate RTO (not registered in NSW) where the training was delivered in person only (face-to-face) at a location outside of NSW.
• the unit FDFFS2001A Implement the food safety program and procedures (formerly FDFCORFSY2A) was attained from any RTO in Australia prior to 31 August 2010 and within five years from date of request.
The unit FDFFS2001A Implement the food safety program and procedures (formerly FDFCORFSY2A) was attained from any RTO in Australia as a completed vocational qualification in Food Processing within five years from date of request.
Units attained after 31 August 2010 from an RTO registered in NSW, but not approved to conduct training under this program, will not be recognised for an FSS certificate unless exceptional circumstances are accepted by the Authority.
If eligible for and FSS certificate:
• complete and submit an FSS certificate request form (pdf, 159KB).
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/industry_pdf/certificate_...
Note: RTOs approved under the FSS program can recognise current competency of one hospitality unit provided the unit was completed with an approved RTO and within five years from the date of request.
Note: FSS certificate requests will be processed in 10 working days.
Reissue of certificates
If a Food Safety Supervisor's contact details change (eg name) the FSS should first contact the RTO that issued the original FSS certificate to request a new certificate. The FSS will need to find out from the RTO what documentation must be submitted before a certificate is reissued.
Please contact us to fill out a Certificate Request Form (if you would like to get a Certificate reissued) at info@auschs.edu.au.
Additional Charges will apply for the reissuance of the Certificates, contact us today to confirm the fees.
If an FSS certificate is lost or damaged, the RTO that issued the certificate will be able to issue a replacement. If the RTO that issued the certificate has ceased to operate or is no longer approved under the FSS program, then the Authority is able to issue a replacement certificate.
The business and FSS should act as soon as possible to replace an FSS certificate, as it is a legal requirement that all businesses that require a FSS keep a copy of the certificate on the premises.
To request a new FSS certificate from the Authority:
• complete and submit an FSS certificate request form (pdf, 159KB).
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/industry_pdf/certificate_...
Note: RTOs may charge a fee for the reissue of an FSS certificate. The cost is set by the RTO, not the Authority.
FSS certificate requests will be processed in 10 working days.
Important Links
Food Safety Supervisor requirements:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/fss-food-safety-supervisors/
Food Standards and Requirements:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...
Food Business notification:-
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...
Food safety programs and HACCP
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...
Licensing:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...
Legislation:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...
Food Regulation:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-standards-and-requirem...