COMMUNITY GROUPS GUIDE TO FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS

This guide is intended to inform community groups of changes in the requirements for food handling activities for fund raising events.

In this guide:

· Food Act (1984) Changes

· Community Group Definition

· Classes of Food Premises

· City of Ballarat Requirements

· Hand Wash Set up

· Equipment Requirements

· Food Training

· Class Requirements

· Additional Information

Food Act 1984 Changes

The Victorian Food Act 1984 regulates the sale of food for human consumption. Recent changes to the Act have implications for community groups organising fund raisers that involve the sale of food from food premises including permanent sites, temporary premises (market stall), sporting group kiosks or mobile premises (food van). These changes are designed to make it more suitable for community group activities.

You are a Community group in the City of Ballarat if:

o you raise funds solely for charity or provide a service to the community

o you are a “not for profit” organisation

o food handling activities are performed mostly by volunteers

Community groups may include local sporting clubs, senior citizens, church and school groups.

“Community group” is defined Here

Classes of Food Premises

Now there is a four class system.

In July 2010, changes were made to the Food Act 1984 which included changes to the food premise classification system to a new four class system. Class 1 based upon the highest risk activities and most regulatory requirements to Class 4 the lowest risk activities and least regulatory requirements. The level of regulation is now matched to the degree of risk of your food handling activities. There are fewer requirements for holding a low risk sausage sizzle compared to a sausage sizzle containing hamburgers that are a higher risk. The duration of your community event also affects your classification.

The Victorian Department of Health has attempted to provide a consistent approach to the classification process however they acknowledge that not all community group activities fall into a standard classification. To assist you to determine the class your food handling activities fall into, refer to the Business Classification Tool available here


City of Ballarat Requirements

The City of Ballarat Environment Health Unit also recognises that community group activities may not clearly fall into a class using the category tool; hence your planned activities may be discussed in more detail with your local Environmental Health Officer (EHO). The unit has the capacity to clarify your activities, legal requirements and any fee exemptions that may apply.

Good Hygienic Practices and a well organised stall/premise setup are still required for all groups participating in food activities to ensure food from your community group activity are safe to eat.

This means:

· Hand washing facilities and good hand washing practices

· Preventing food contamination from physical, chemical and biological sources

Physical contamination: from materials such as pen lids, springs from equipment, glass and pests

Chemical contamination: from daily use detergents and lubricants

Biological contamination: from micro organisms including bacteria, viruses and protozoa that cause food poisoning illness such as gastroenteritis.

Hand Wash Setup

Ø water container filled with warm potable water and with tap valve

Ø liquid soap

Ø waste water collection bucket

Ø single use disposable paper towel

.

Equipment Requirements

Ø hand sanitiser (optional)

Ø disposable gloves (optional)

Ø protective covering for food

Ø serving/food handling utensils

Ø esky and ice/refrigeration

Ø rubbish disposal receptacle

Ø apron/uniform/tea towels

Ø wash up bucket

Ø Thermometer accurate to +/- 1º C if required for record keeping


Food Training

Everybody that handles food, particularly those without food handler training are strongly encouraged to take advantage of free Food safety training provided by the Department of Health called “Do Food Safely’ program available on

http://dofoodsafely.health.vic.gov.au/

Food Safety Class Requirements

Community groups may run any kind of activities as long as the legislative requirements of your Class are met. If your activities change you must discuss with your EHO at Ballarat City Council as your legal responsibilities may change. Council may inspect your premises at any time to simply assess the safety of your activities or in some cases to investigate a complaint

A summary of the requirements for Class 4 (lowest risk activities) to Class 2 (higher risk activities) is listed. Class 1 is not applicable to community groups.

Class 4: low risk to public health (low risk pre-packaged foods & basic sausage sizzle)

· Notify Ballarat City Council about activities by completing “Notification of a Food Premises” found here

· Fee not required

· Food Safety Program not required

· Food Safety Supervisor not required

· Annual inspection not required

· Keep basic records. Who made product? Where purchased?

Download the cake stall guide and poster here.

Download the sausage sizzle guide and poster here

Class 3: foods not commonly associated with food poisoning and pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods

· Register with Ballarat City Council by completing “Application to Register a Food Premises” found here

· Fee required

· Food Safety Program not required but Minimum Records to be maintained based on your specific activities.

· Minimum records

o Sheet C for events 1 or 2 days available here

o Sheet D for events greater than 2 days available here

· Food Safety Supervisor not required

· Registration /transfer/annual inspection required by Council


Class 2: higher risk to public health (preparation or handling of high risk potentially hazardous food)

Potentially Hazardous Food = Food that has to be kept at certain temperatures to minimise microbiological growth or to prevent the formation of toxins in the food.

· Register with Ballarat City Council by completing “Application to Register a Food Premises” found here

· Fee required

· Registration/transfer inspection by council

· Food Safety Program required

· Use existing Food safety program template: food events found here

OR Use other suitable registered template: audit by Department of Health approved auditor required

· Food Safety program hotline 1300 888 498

· No Food Safety Supervisor requirements if those handling the food are mostly volunteers, and

food activity a maximum of two consecutive days at one time

· For further information about Class 2 community events go to www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/home/community.htm

Remember to Follow Good Hygienic Practices; free food safety training available here

Additional Information

City of Ballarat Environmental Health Unit
P: +61 3 53205 702
E:

Department of Health

P: 1300 364 352

Email

www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety

Department of Health: Victoria’s Food Act changes. Guide to food safety regulation for community groups: Food fundraisers

Department of Health: Victoria’s Food Act changes. Guide to food safety regulation for community groups: Community food premises classes at a glance

For further information about community events www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/home/community.htm

For information on food safety tips use the Better Health Channel here

Community groups with languages other than English, are encouraged to seek further information from The City of Ballarat Cultural Diversity team on 5320 5180 or refer to Department of Health, Victoria.

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