New food laws passed to improve food safety

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has welcomed the passage of Food Amendment Act 2011 in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.

"The amended Act will provide consumers with more information so they can make more informed choices about where they dine out, improving food safety in the ACT and ensuring increased regulatory transparency," the Chief Minister said.

"Recent problems with some food businesses have highlighted the gaps in knowledge of people working in the industry which is why these amendments were needed," the Chief Minister said.

The bill does four key things. It requires food businesses to:

• - display their certificate of registration
• - display any closure notices
• - have a trained food safety supervisor
• - And finally, allows information about food businesses convicted of an offence to be placed on a public register.

"The amendments made today will see the end of misleading signs such as ‘Closed for Renovation' posted at outlets that are actually shut due to serious food safety breaches. These businesses will now have to display a closure notice informing the public that they need to fulfil certain conditions before they can re-open.

"To further enhance regulatory transparency, details of food businesses convicted of offences against the Food Act will now be listed on a publicly available register.

"This bill is also about tightening up food safety by ensuring businesses have a staff member trained in food safety - such as safe food preparation and handling practices, effective from August 2013.

"This means food businesses will also be able to identify and resolve potential problems in-house, before any regulatory action is needed. This is good for the business, consumers and the regulator.

"The Health Directorate will be working closely with industry and training providers on the implementation of these amendments and will continue to explore other proposals aimed at strengthening food safety in the ACT," the Chief Minister concluded.