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Choosing the Right Food Safety Supervisor for Your Business

Written by Australian Institute of Food Safety | Mar 29, 2016 4:00:00 AM

Just as selecting the right Food Safety Supervisor course is important, choosing the right person to perform this function in your business is equally critical.

Choosing a Person to Nominate

If you’re a food business owner, you should nominate someone trustworthy – yourself, your licensee, a manager, an employee, or an external contractor – who can fulfil the legal requirements laid out in the Food Act.

This involves choosing a person who:

  • Can demonstrate ‘reasonable availability’ at all times to ensure accountability and to protect your business
  • Understands the role and responsibilities of a Food Safety Supervisor
  • Has the authority to supervise staff in food handling
  • Has the organisational skills to implement a Food Safety Program
  • Can complete Food Safety Supervisor training relevant to your food industry

Legal Requirements of a Food Safety Supervisor

To perform the role of Food Safety Supervisor successfully in your business, the selected person should:

  • Hold a Statement of Attainment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), displaying the completed units of competency
  • Have the role of Food Safety Supervisor embedded in their job with time allocated each day to undertake Food Safety Supervisor tasks

Benefits of A Food Safety Supervisor

A Food Safety Supervisor is a valuable asset because they can:

  • Protect your business against unforeseen events such as food safety emergencies and customer complaints
  • Know what to do should a food safety issue or hazard arise in your business
  • Train and supervise staff in safe food preparation, fostering a culture with high food safety standards
  • Ensure your business meets all requirements to pass a health inspection
  • Build relationships with local government and Environmental Health Officers