News

Food safety is vital in the food service, catering, and retail industries, and failure to keep adequate food safety standards can result in severe consequences for customers and businesses, including illness or injury, legal liability, and lasting damage to a business’s reputation.  The recently introduced FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A aims to strengthen food safety protocols by introducing three new food safety management tools. These tools ensure that food prepared a…

On December 8, 2023, new legislation will come into effect which will require all Australian businesses that prepare and serve food to have trained Food Safety Supervisors available on their premises at all times. This legislation is known as Standard 3.2.2A and is part of the Food Standards Code administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Previously, Food Safety Supervisor training legislation was state-mandated and only applied to food busin…

As of January 2023, the team at Food Safety First are pleased to announce that we deliver Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training, along with the already popular Food Safety Supervisor and Food Handling Certificate training. The decision to add this course was driven by demand from students who are looking for a one-stop-shop to complete all of their hospitality compliance training, and who want to study alcohol service with Food Safety First after a succ…

In the latest report released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), undeclared allergens in foods were the cause of almost 50% of recalls issued in 2021. Report data indicated that there were a total of 80 recalls issued (down from 109 in 2020), and 48% were allergen-related.  There are two types of recalls that may be issued: consumer and trade. A consumer recall applies to foods that are sold to the retail consumer. A trade recall covers foods sold…

In the last couple of years, the emergence of a new trend has been gaining steam in the beverage sector. Zero-alcohol drinks, which used to be extremely limited in popularity and reach, have increased in appeal, particularly during the pandemic as people began to take more notice of their lifestyle, eating and drinking habits and opted for healthier choices. Millennials and Gen Zers especially are making more conscious choices when it comes to drinking alcohol,…

On World Food Safety Day in June, the Food Safety Information Council released a report card on the food safety record of Australia. Ensuring food is produced and consumed safely is critical in the prevention of food safety incidents, including food-borne illness. Each year, an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning are reported in Australia resulting in over 31,000 hospitalisations, 1 million visits to doctors and 86 deaths.  The goal of the Food Safet…

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has proposed changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The changes are meant to strengthen food safety practices and reduce the number of food-borne illnesses caused by food service and closely related retail businesses. These changes come after an assessment done in 2018 found that a large number of food-borne illnesses reported were linked to food service and retail sectors. “The majority of busine…

The Food Insights Questionnaire (FoodIQ), conducted by the Centre for Global Food and Resources (CGFAR) Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, is a twice-yearly survey that asks approximately 1,000 food shoppers in Australia about their attitudes towards food and food safety. Among the questionnaire topics include: Household food costs Food choice influences Personal food consumption Concerns about food safety Changes to protein or meat consumptio…

Last month, Food Standard Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recalled oysters grown in the Coffin Bay area of South Australia due to a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak. At least 36 Vibrio cases after Coffin Bay oyster consumption were reported in South Australia, with many more in other areas of the country. The recall included fresh and frozen raw Pacific oysters with production dates from September 4, 2021 to November 16, 2021. The oysters were sold in grocery sto…

The Queensland government has released its plans to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals once the state reaches its 80 percent double dose vaccination target for Queensland residents aged 16 years and older. This milestone is expected to take place on December 17, 2021. Venues or activities that only allow access to fully vaccinated people can operate without any density restrictions starting December 17. Contact tracing through the Check-In Qld a…

New South Wales and Victoria have reached vaccination milestones this October, making it possible for the states to ease lockdown restrictions and move forward with their reopening roadmaps. “Every citizen in the state has made huge sacrifices in the past couple of months to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe,” said NSW Treasurer Matt Kean. “As restrictions start to ease and we reach key milestones in our Roadmap, we have to get business ba…

New South Wales has set benchmarks for reopening and loosening current COVID-19 restrictions: when 70 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and when 80 percent have received both doses. “There’s still more work to do to push those vaccination rates higher and everyone must continue to follow the lockdown rules until we reach that 70 per cent double dose target,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian, “when further restrictions can be ea…

At the start of the new year, the New South Wales government has implemented a range of COVID-19 restrictions and business requirements in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It's essential that food businesses know exactly what is required of them and what rules they need to follow at this time. Doing so ensures that businesses remain compliant and help reduce the growing cases of COVID-19. Here's the latest information on what NSW businesses need to kn…

In recognition of the United Nation’s World Food Safety Day on June 7, the Food Safety Information Council has released a report card on Australia’s food safety record. The report card acknowledges significant changes in food-borne illness in Australia and addresses some areas of concern that still need improvement. In Australia, there are an estimated 4.1 million cases of food-borne illness each year. There are approximately 31,920 hospitalisations and 86 deat…

After extended closures to the public due to COVID-19, food businesses have finally been given the green light to offer dine-in services in most Australian states and territories. This is good news for food businesses such as restaurants and pubs, which have had to close their physical premises and switch to takeaway or home delivery methods. Reopenings can begin immediately in all states and territories, excluding Victoria. Food businesses in Victoria can begin…