When it comes to food and drink, South Australia (SA) provides a refreshing mix of cuisines for everyone to enjoy. South Australia stands as a culinary haven, boasting everything from the multicultural dining experiences of Adelaide to the seafood splendours of the Eyre Peninsula.
According to Statista, South Australia is currently home to more than 2,700 cafes and restaurants, with approximately 1,000 of these located in the state’s largest city, Adelaide. One thing all of these establishments have in common is their obligation to comply with the food safety standards set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and SA Health.
A key element of these regulations is the mandatory appointment of a certified Food Safety Supervisor, who must take a government-approved training program. Food Safety First delivers an accredited Food Safety Supervisor course that guarantees compliance with federal and state requirements for food handling, preparation and service businesses.
This blog will provide you with an overview of the Food Safety Supervisor course and a closer look at the food safety regulations in South Australia. Read on to see what it takes to keep customers safe following federal and state legislation.
Food Safety Legislation in South Australia
SA Health enforces the Food Safety Act 2001, which requires food businesses in the state to operate within the guidelines of the Food Standards Code.
South Australia Food Business Classification
Food businesses in South Australia are divided into four groups based on the potential level of risk they present to consumers. Organisations are ranked from Priority 1 (highest risk) to Priority 4 (lowest risk) so local authorities can prioritise inspections and identify applicable regulations effectively.
This classification system differs from the one outlined in FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A in that the federal system only includes two categories of food businesses (Category 1 and Category 2). Food businesses in SA need to be aware of their classification at both the federal and state levels.
SA Health Food Safety Rating Scheme
SA Health's Food Safety Rating Scheme, also known as "scores-on-doors", enables state and local authorities to rate your food business based on the outcome of routine food safety inspections.
Local authorities conduct these inspections through Environmental Health Officers (EHOs). A routine inspection will typically look at the following aspects of a food business operation:
- Deliveries
- Displays (cabinets, bain-maries, etc.)
- Food Handler knowledge
- Food disposal
- Hygiene standards
- Packaging
- Processing (preparing, cooking and serving)
- Recalls
- Storage
- Transportation and distribution
For the purposes of the Food Safety Rating Scheme, inspection results will be summarised as a number, letter or star rating that must be displayed in a prominent position on your premises.
FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A
Like every other state and territory in Australia, SA is governed by FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A, a federal regulation designed to enhance food safety procedures through three core activities:
- Record-keeping
- Food Handler training
- Food safety supervision
The Food Safety Supervisor mandate requires most businesses involved in food preparation and service to have at least one designated Food Safety Supervisor on duty at all times.
The Role of a Food Safety Supervisor
A Food Safety Supervisor is a certified individual responsible for implementing and supervising all food safety procedures throughout the workplace. It’s a role that is usually carried out by senior employees such as restaurant managers and chefs, but is a position that is open to all food industry professionals.
Typical duties include:
- Developing and implementing a Food Safety Plan based on HACCP principles
- Ensuring compliance with food safety laws and regulations
- Maintaining accurate records of food safety practices
- Monitoring food safety procedures on a day-to-day basis
- Taking corrective actions to address food safety issues
- Training and supervising staff in safe food handling
Food Safety Supervisors should also dedicate time to addressing any internal or external food safety issues that arise, such as responding to queries from Food Handlers within the workplace or liaising with local authorities concerning routine inspections and regulation breaches.
Food Safety Supervisor Training in South Australia
The Food Safety Supervisor course provides you with the knowledge and expertise you need to guarantee that all food handled and prepared in their establishment is safe for consumption. Enrolling with Food Safety First enables you to safeguard public health and ensures that your business complies with FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A.
Food Safety First offers a comprehensive Food Safety Supervisor course covering all the legally required elements, including the following topics:
- Food safety laws: Learn about the various laws and regulations that govern food safety in South Australia.
- Managing food safety risks: Identify potential risks in your food business and develop effective strategies to deal with them.
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): Understand the seven principles of HACCP and how to apply them to real-life situations.
- Food contamination: Recognise food-borne pathogens, high-risk foods and the dangers of physical, biological and chemical contamination.
- Food allergies: Learn about food allergens and explore effective allergen management strategies.
- Time and temperature control: Understand the science behind the Temperature Danger Zone (TDZ) and its impact on food safety.
- Food handling and storage: Discover best practices for safe food handling and storage, from receiving deliveries to serving customers.
- Cleaning and sanitising: Learn professional cleaning and sanitising techniques that can be used to prevent contamination.
- Personal hygiene: Understand the importance of hand washing and maintaining impeccable hygiene standards.
- Record-keeping: Discover why maintaining accurate record-keeping is critical for demonstrating compliance.
Units of Competency
To become a certified Food Safety Supervisor in South Australia, you must obtain the relevant units of competency for your specific industry as part of your training. SA Health only accepts the units of competency relating to Retail, Health & Community and Hospitality.
If your business isn’t categorised within any of the sectors mentioned above, you should select whichever of the three options most closely matches your business type.
The Food Safety Supervisor course for Retail covers one fundamental unit of competency:
- SIRRFSA001 (Handle food safely in a retail environment): Requirements for cleaning and sanitising, safe food handling and storage.
The Food Safety Supervisor course for Health & Community incorporates three units of competency:
- HLTFSE001 (Follow basic food safety practices): Knowledge and skills required for upholding personal hygiene standards, implementing food safety measures, keeping food handling areas clean, and appropriately disposing of food.
- HLTFSE005 (Apply and monitor food safety requirements): Fundamental food safety principles, including safe food handling and personal hygiene practices.
- HLTFSE007 (Oversee the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace): Capabilities required to implement and monitor food safety procedures effectively.
The Food Safety Supervisor course for Hospitality features two units of competency:
- SITXFSA005 (Use hygienic practices for food safety): Basic food safety practices such as safe food handling, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitising.
- SITXFSA006 (Participate in safe food handling practices): Practical elements of safe food handling such as food storage, temperature control and contamination risk management.
Certification
Once you’ve successfully completed the Food Safety Supervisor course, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment recognised at a federal, state and local level. This document is valid for five years, after which you must retake the course in order to maintain your status as a certified Food Safety Supervisor.
Enrolment
Now that we’ve brought you up to speed with the Food Safety Supervisor course in South Australia, it's time to move another step closer to certification. Protect your customers and keep your business compliant by registering with Food Safety First today.
Enrol online or contact us for help choosing the right course for your business.