Licensing

Licensing

Certain parts of the NSW food industry are regulated under Food Regulation 2010 and are required to hold a NSW Food Authority licence.

They include:

• businesses that conduct food service to vulnerable populations
• high-priority plant product businesses
• businesses that handle or process meat
• businesses that further process seafood
• businesses that handle shellfish
• dairy producers, factories and vendors
• businesses that produce or process eggs & egg related products

All other NSW food businesses which handle food for sale are required by the Food Act 2003 only to notify the Authority of their food handling activities.

Most licensed food businesses must implement and maintain a food safety program based on Codex’ HACCP, or Standard 3.2.1 of the Food Standards Code.

The Authority classifies all licensed food businesses that are required to have food safety programs using it's Priority Classification System. Businesses are classified according to the level of food safety risk.

To check that licensed businesses are implementing the regulations, the Authority regularly audits and inspects them to try to ensure that the NSW public is offered safe and correctly labelled food.

Licensed food businesses must comply with the relevant parts of the Food Standards Code: for more information see food standards and requirements.

Food Safety Certificates

Licensed businesses can request a Food Safety Certificate. Together with their NSW Food Authority licence, it can be shown to suppliers and customers to demonstrate that the business complies with all legal requirements associated with holding a NSW Food Authority licence.

This certificate was previously know as a HACCP Certificate but has recently been changed as the Authority does not provide HACCP certification in NSW.

The Authority can issue a Food Safety Certificate to a business that can demonstrate long term compliance with the relevant legislative requirements. At a minimum, the business must be able to show that they received an acceptable result at their previous two audits.

Eligible holders of a NSW Food Authority licence can apply for a Food Safety Certificate by contacting the Licensing Unit on 02 6552 3000.