- Print this page
- Download as PDF
- Share this page
The NSW Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme Consultative Committee (VPCC) was established to provide the NSW Minister for Agriculture and the NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise forum for consulting on matters relating to the Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme.
In particular, it consults on matters including:
- the continuing operation of the Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme.
- any proposed amendment of the Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme.
Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme, in accordance with provisions of that Scheme.
The Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme under Food Regulation 2015 commenced in November 2018.
The VPCC membership is designed to bring expertise and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution across the NSW vulnerable persons industry sector. While the national nature of the vulnerable persons sector means that national issues will sometimes be in play, VPCC advice should primarily relate to issues within the remit of the NSW Government.
VPCC members are appointed by the CEO of the Food Authority with membership drawn from a broad skills base across the Vulnerable Person sector. Each member has expertise in specific fields enabling them to provide the Food Authority with a broad range of expert advice and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution across the Vulnerable Persons sector.
Members are appointed for a term of up to 3 years and the VPCC is chaired by the Food Authority.
Functions of the NSW Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme Consultative Committee
The VPCC provides feedback to the NSW Minister for Agriculture and the Food Authority on issues relating to the Vulnerable Persons sector, including:
- food safety policy and practices
- the Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme
- labelling, handling and hygiene
- investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.
Meetings
The VPCC meets approximately every 6 months, with agenda items called for 1 month before each meeting.
Meeting outcomes
Membership
| Representation | Name / Position |
|---|---|
| Institute of Hospitality in Healthcare | Ms Lisa Cranham National President |
| The Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW (Trading as Whiddon) | Mr Alexander Drysdale Group Food Service Manager |
| Healthshare NSW | Ms Melanie Frost Associate Director, Food Service Reform |
| Health Protection NSW, NSW Health | Ms Kirsty Hope Manager Food And Waterborne Disease Health Protection NSW |
| Aged and Community Care Providers Association | Ms Anne King Manager NSW/ACT |
| Uniting NSW ACT | Mr Craig Kirkpatrick Hotel Service Specialist Residential Aged Care |
| Food Safety Culture | Ms Kate Lewis Food Safety Auditor / Technical Manager |
| Western NSW Local Health District, NSW Health | Ms Sharla Seckold District Manager Patient Support Services |
| NSW Meals on Wheels | Ms Sheryl Smith Network Support Officer |
| Healthshare NSW | Ms Fifi Spechler Quality And Accreditation Manager |
| Cranbrook Care | Mr Ashley Thomson Group Executive Chef |
| Safe Food Australia | Ms Gillian Van Someren-Hurley Food Safety Auditor |
| HACCP Australia | Dr Michelle Warton Senior Project Manager |
| Estia Health | Mr Justin Wilshaw Head Of Hospitality & Lifestyle |
| NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | Dr Andrew Davis Acting - Director Food Safety & CEO NSW Food Authority |
Terms of Reference
The primary objective of the VPCC is to contribute to the Food Authority’s goal of ensuring that food provided to vulnerable persons is safe and suitable for these people, by advising on policy and practices introduced into the vulnerable persons food safety scheme and developed through a consultative process.
The VPCC has the function of consulting with the Food Authority and providing advice on food safety schemes relating to the vulnerable persons industry.
The VPCC is also consulted on other vulnerable persons industry matters covered by the provisions of the Food Regulation 2015. This may include:
- undertaking consultation with the Food Authority for the purposes of section 105 of the Act in relation to the vulnerable persons food safety scheme; and
- ongoing review of the operation of the vulnerable persons safety scheme.
Where considered appropriate, VPCC consideration may include policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations. VPCC members may also provide industry updates and discuss current issues at each VPCC meeting.
The Food Authority may continue to provide the Minister with its own advice on issues that come before the VPCC.
VPCC Charter and Procedural Guidelines
Contact
Enquiries regarding the VPCC can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative or the NSW Food Authority helpline at
- food.contact@dpird.nsw.gov.au
- 1300 552 406