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Consequences of non-compliance
Food safety regulations are crucial for protecting public health, and businesses in the food industry must stay compliant to ensure safe operations. One of the newest regulations that businesses must comply with is FSANZ Standard 3.2.2A.
For certain business types in New South Wales (NSW), the extended compliance deadline for Standard 3.2.2A is fast approaching.
By December 8 2024, the following establishments must adhere to the new food safety regulations:
- Supermarkets
- Greengrocers
- Delicatessens
- Coffee vendors that serve food
- School canteens
- Boarding schools
- Children’s services that provide food (e.g. childcare facilities)
- Correctional Centres
If your business falls into any of these categories, it is essential that you take the necessary steps to meet the Standard 3.2.2A compliance requirements, such as enrolling staff in the relevant food safety training program with the Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS).
What is Standard 3.2.2A?
Standard 3.2.2A is the latest update to food safety regulations under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This standard focuses on food safety practices and general requirements that businesses handling, preparing and selling food must adhere to.
The upcoming deadline for compliance means affected businesses must make sure their practices are aligned with this new standard. Failing to comply could lead to penalties or interruptions to business operations.
To ensure compliance, your business must follow essential food safety principles aligned to the three pillars of Standard 3.2.2A:
1. Food Handler Training
All employees directly (or indirectly) engaged in food handling must complete food safety training. AIFS offers a Food Handler course that is aligned with Standard 3.2.2A requirements and equips participants with the knowledge and skills to recognise food safety risks and take the appropriate action.
2. Food Safety Supervisors
It is mandatory for each impacted business to appoint a qualified Food Safety Supervisor who possesses a certification that is less than five years old. This person plays a key role in overseeing day-to-day food handling operations, ensuring that food safety protocols are followed in an effective and consistent manner.
3. Record Management
For businesses engaged in high-risk food preparation, Standard 3.2.2A requires either the implementation of a detailed record-keeping system for food safety tasks or the demonstration of how food safety practices are applied within the business.
Accurate records establish a reliable system that can be easily inspected by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and serve as a crucial tool for traceability and accountability in the event of a food safety incident.
Key steps for compliance
Once you have established that your business is impacted by Standard 3.2.2A, you must take the appropriate action ahead of the December 8 compliance deadline. There are five simple steps you can take to ensure that your establishment aligns with the new food safety standards.
1. Conduct a food safety audit
The first step in preparing for compliance is conducting a food safety audit. This involves reviewing your current practices to ensure they meet the requirements outlined in Standard 3.2.2A. An audit can help identify areas where your business may need to improve, such as food handling practices, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, or staff training.
2. Implement food safety training
One of the core requirements of the new standard is that all Food Handlers must complete food safety training, covering a range of topics as listed in Standard 3.2.2A. This ensures that every team member understands how to prevent food-borne illness and handle food safely. Businesses should enrol their staff in an accredited Food Handler course to meet compliance requirements and have a record of their staff’s training. Standard 3.2.2A also requires for a minimum of one appointed individual per site to have completed a Food Safety Supervisor Course and attain a NSW Food Safety Supervisor Certificate within the last five years.
The Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) is approved to deliver both of these courses in line with government requirements and is an approved issuer of the NSW Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.
3. Appoint a Food Safety Supervisor
In accordance with Standard 3.2.2A, food businesses in NSW must have a Food Safety Supervisor available and contactable whenever potentially hazardous food is being prepared or served. While only one Food Safety Supervisor is required per legislative requirements, best practice is to have a minimum of two qualified Food Safety Supervisors per site to facilitate staff annual leave and lessen issues due to staff turnover.
Designated Food Safety Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the safe handling of food and ensuring compliance with the new standard. They will need to complete a nationally recognised Food Safety Supervisor course, which covers topics such as personal hygiene, contamination prevention and how to manage food safety risks.
4. Ensure effective record-keeping
Providing evidence of organisational food safety practices is another critical aspect of compliance. Businesses must maintain thorough records or be able to demonstrate in another way that all food safety measures are being followed in order to manage food safety risks.
This includes logging temperatures of food storage facilities, documenting cleaning schedules and keeping records of food safety training courses completed by staff. Not only does this protect your business in the case of an audit, but it also helps ensure ongoing compliance with food safety regulations.
AIFS has a range of resources available as part of a Record Keeping Tool-Kit that can help you ensure compliance. This resource, along with many others, are available through the AIFS Membership Program. Membership can be purchased individually or obtained for free after the successful completion of a nationally recognised course.
5. Monitor and review regularly
Compliance with Standard 3.2.2A isn’t a one-time task. Your Food Safety Plan must be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure ongoing compliance. Regular monitoring of your practices and retraining staff when necessary will help maintain high food safety standards and keep your business aligned with regulations.
Why compliance matters
Adhering to Standard 3.2.2A is crucial not only for legal reasons but also to protect public health. Food-borne illness outbreaks can cause serious harm to consumers and damage the reputation of your business.
By taking the necessary steps to comply, you will demonstrate your commitment to food safety, build trust with your customers and avoid potential fines or penalties.
Consequences of non-compliance
Failing to comply with the new regulations could result in serious consequences for your business.
In New South Wales, severe violations can lead to substantial fines and temporary business closures. The NSW Food Authority has the right to conduct unannounced inspections to check the validity of Food Safety Supervisor certifications and investigate other potential instances of non-compliance, such as inadequate storage or temperature control practices.
Additionally, there is a ‘name and shame’ list that displays the names and locations of offending businesses on the NSW Food Authority website. This list is designed to deter businesses from breaching Standard 3.2.2A regulations by leveraging the threat of reputational damage.
Be ready for the Standard 3.2.2A compliance deadline
The upcoming compliance deadline for Standard 3.2.2A in NSW is a critical moment for many food businesses. By understanding whether your business is impacted and taking proactive steps to ensure compliance, you’ll protect your customers and keep your operations running smoothly.
Make sure all food handling staff are properly trained, appoint a Food Safety Supervisor and implement any other necessary changes required in order to meet the new standards.
Don’t leave compliance to the last minute. Ensure your business is prepared for the December 8 2024 compliance deadline by investing in the relevant training for your staff.
Sign up for Food Safety Supervisor or Food Handler training today, or get in touch with the AIFS team to discover how Standard 3.2.2A impacts your business responsibilities.
