Retail outlets and restaurants

Overview

NSW has around 50,000 food businesses which have notified NSW Health of their activities in the food industry, including bakeries, B&Bs, beekeepers, butchers, canteens, charity groups, delicatessens, health food shops, home delivery services, hotel/motel operations, kiosks, licensed clubs, food manufacturers and packers, pharmacies, pubs, restaurants, service stations, street vendors, takeaways, food transporters and wineries (source: Notification and Food Safety Information System, NSW Health)

The NSW food service and retail food industries are regulated by the Food Standards Code which sets out the standards for food and food businesses.

A food handler training initiative is under development.

The Food Standards Code also requires businesses which sell any sort of food to be either licensed or to notify the Authority of its details (there are significant fines for failing to be notified).

More information on notification

Since establishment in April 2004, the NSW Food Authority’s work in these industries comprises inspections of notified businesses to verify compliance with the Food Standards Code.

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Temporary food events and markets

Guidelines to improve the food safety of temporary food events and reduce red tape are available. Food Handling Guidelines for Temporary Events (pdf, 225 KB) will reduce duplication by having one set of uniform regulations covering markets and special food events across NSW. See also the launch statement.

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Mobile food vending vehicles

A guide for mobile food vending vehicle operators is available. The Mobile food vending vehicle guideline (pdf, 210KB) sets out the legal requirements for selling food from vending vehicles, and suggests ways to achieve food safety.

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School canteens

Food Safety in School Canteens (678 KB) is for canteen managers and volunteers; produced for the Fresh Tastes @ School program by the Authority and the Department of Health.