New partnership improves food safety in NSW

24 Oct 2007

The Iemma Government is introducing changes to legislation which will co-ordinate local government’s role in food regulation and enable quicker responses to food emergencies and recalls, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

Minister Macdonald said changes to the Food Act 2003, which passed the State’s Lower House last night, will better define the role of local councils in several areas, including food inspections.

“The role of local councils will be better defined so we can stamp out duplication and better continue the campaign against unsafe and incorrectly labelled food in NSW,” Minister Macdonald said.

“The Iemma Government has already committed $6.5 million in funding over five years to support this new initiative.

“There is no doubt it will improve food safety co-ordination between councils and the Food Authority.”

Minister Macdonald said the new partnership is based on a new food regulatory agreement covering all 152 local councils in NSW.

“The Iemma Government is confident food in NSW is second to none in terms of safety, however, this partnership will give councils training and support to help them regulate retail and food service businesses in their local area,” he said.

Minister Macdonald said the new legislation will also see the establishment of the Food Regulation Forum, which consists of representatives from the State and Local Government sectors.

“The Food Authority and councils already enjoy a strong working relationship and we want to deliver even better outcomes for NSW so we can respond even faster to food emergencies and recalls,” he said.

“The initiative is the result of a consultative three-year development process and is supported by key stakeholders including the Local Government and Shires Associations, the Australian Institute of Environmental Health NSW, Development and Environmental Professionals Association and the Local Government Managers Australia NSW Division.

“The bottom line is to make sure the people of NSW continue to get access to safe and correctly labelled food, and we are confident this new initiative will deliver just that.”

Also on this site

• Food regulation guide part 1 responsibilities, administration, support (pdf, 1.6MB)