How To Uphold Food Safety Standards Within Your Business

As Australian businesses respond to heightened food safety regulations, we explore the benefits of training employees in recognized global food safety standards.

No country is safe when it comes to foodborne illness. Many countries, like Australia, have high food safety standards. Yet in Australia alone, it is estimated that each year food poisoning is related to over 31,000 hospitalizations, 1 million visits to doctors and, regrettably, 86 deaths. Businesses have a duty of care to ensure safety when producing or supplying food for consumers.

To protect consumers, Australian food safety standards were heightened last year, when Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) implemented revised standards and updated training requirements. A key aspect of the guidelines is that food businesses must ensure that all persons undertaking or supervising food handling operations have the necessary training in food safety and hygiene.

Food safety training is an investment in ensuring your employees uphold food safety standards within your business. In Australia, it is not just a business benefit but a regulated requirement.

What are Australia’s food safety regulations?

In December 2023 FSANZ implemented a new set of guidelines known as Standard 3.2.2A. This standard means businesses must implement two or three food safety management tools based on their food handling activities.

These tools include implementing:

• A recognized food safety supervisor
• Food handler training
• Substantiation of critical food safety controls

Higher risk Category 1 businesses must implement all three measures, while businesses ranked as Category 2 must implement a food safety supervisor and food handler training.

What are the benefits of food safety training?

Food businesses serious about their long-term success must be serious about food safety.

Even one incident can destroy a food business’s reputation and may result in costly fines, litigation or business closure.

Food safety training allows you to:

• Control and reduce food safety hazards: enabling food handlers to implement proper food handling, cooking and storage techniques reduces the risk of contamination, so that food sold is safe for consumption
• Achieve regulatory compliance: staying up to date with current regulations helps you avoid legal issues and potential fines, and keeps your business in good standing with health inspections and regulatory bodies
• Boost reputation: training builds trust among consumers and fosters customer loyalty, which is crucial for business success
• Reduce the risk of accidents and liability: identifying and mitigating risks reduces the likelihood of costly legal claims related to foodborne illnesses or injury
• Increase efficiency and cost savings: best practices streamline operations, reduce waste and improve overall efficiency. This can lead to cost savings from better inventory management, spoilage reduction and more efficient use of resources
• Gain a competitive advantage: training in recognized standards helps you to move your products through the food supply chain more easily

What are the different international food safety standards?

Training in international food safety standards is not mandatory in Australia, but it is highly recommended to minimize risk and improve your food management system.

We recommend training in one or all of the following;

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is an internationally recognized standard that defines the requirements for the effective control of food safety
• ISO 22000 goes a step further than HACCP. A widely recognized food safety management system standard, it specifies the guidelines for a comprehensive food safety management system, incorporating elements of HACCP
• Demonstrating the very highest standards in food safety, FSSC 22000 is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standard. FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000, with additional requirements defined by FSSC

How often should food handlers complete training?

While no specific timeframe has been set, businesses need to ensure their food handlers' skills and knowledge are adequate and current. It is advisable to schedule regular refresher training to reinforce awareness of and expertise in the current and best practice food safety guidelines.

How can we help?

As a world leader in certification, we offer evidence based practices that benefit you and the future of your business.

We help you prepare for and maintain the latest globally recognized food safety standards, including HACCP, FSSC 22000 V6 and ISO 22000:2018. Our courses are delivered via a variety of methods and can be tailored to reflect your individual business needs.

For further food safety training information, please contact:

Matthew Traynor
Business Manager Training
t: +61455527349

For food audits and certification, please contact:

Theo Vouthas
National Business Development Manager
t: +61497399386