How we work

The NSW Food Authority works with local government to enforce all aspects of the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code, the NSW Food Act 2003 and the State’s food safety programs.

Food safety programs target food safety risks throughout the food supply chain and are tailored to individual industries, sectors or businesses. The programs incorporate national standards and are introduced by regulation under the Food Act.

The NSW Food Authority ensures that industry complies with food safety programs by licensing or recording notification of food businesses in NSW, auditing and inspecting their operations regularly and where necessary, penalising non-compliance.

NSW Food Authority Compliance and Enforcement Policy PDF 119 KB

The NSW Food Authority also informs and educates consumers on food labelling, food handling and hygiene.

Committees have been established to provide industry and expert advice to the NSW Food Authority and the Minister on a range of food safety and regulation matters.

The NSW Food Authority values its vital links with other agencies at State and national level, particularly NSW Health, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, the NSW Office of Fair Trading and Food Standards Australia New Zealand and supports local government, which conducts essential enforcement work through Environmental Health Officers.