- 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, including:
- the continuing operation of the scheme.
- any proposed amendment to the 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 is prescribed under the NSW Food Regulation 2025.
Functions
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.
The VPCC membership is designed to bring expertise and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution across the 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.
Meetings
The VPCC meets approximately every 6 months, with agenda items called for 1 month before each meeting.
2026
2025
To request older meeting outcomes, please email food.contact@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Membership
The VPCC is chaired by the CEO of the NSW Food Authority. Its membership is drawn from a broad skills base across the vulnerable persons 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 sector.
Members are appointed by the CEO of the Food Authority for a term of up to 3 years.
| 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 Denise Chapman Network Support Officer |
| Healthshare NSW | Ms Fifi Spechler Quality And Accreditation Manager |
| 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 | Mr Mark Mackie Acting Director Compliance, Agriculture & Biosecurity |
| NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | Mr Andrew Davis 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 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 NSW Food Regulation, which may include:
- undertaking consultation with the 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 appropriate, VPCC consideration may include policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations.
Where appropriate, VPCC members will provide industry updates and discuss current issues at each VPCC meeting.
The Food Authority will provide the Minister with advice on significant issues raised by the VPCC.
Other government agencies may seek to use the broad expertise and experience of VPCC members to obtain advice on matters beyond the scope of the vulnerable persons food safety scheme, or to share information. In all cases these items will be clearly marked in the agenda and VPCC members will be asked for their consent to provide such advice. Advice on matters not within the VPCC’s legislative remit cannot be viewed as committee advice rather as advice provided by individuals. For transparency, those bringing forward such items need to be aware that meeting outcomes are made public.
As previously indicated, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also convenes a range of other committees to provide advice on specific issues of relevance from time to time.
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