Food
Food Safety
The Food Act 2008 and Food Regulations 2009 are developed to ensure that food for sale is both safe and suitable for human consumption. The Town’s Environmental Health Officers are authorised officers under the Act and conduct inspections and investigations in relation to food premises to ensure a state of compliance with legislative requirements.
A food business is a business or activity that involves the handling of food intended for sale; or the sale of food, regardless of whether the handling or sale of food occurs on one occasion only.
All food businesses, other than those that are exempt under the Act, must be registered with the Town prior to commencement of operations. Exempted food businesses must notify the Town to enable food surveillance across the community.
Exempted food businesses from registration:
- Are conducted solely for charitable or community purposes and prepare non-potentially hazardous foods or foods that, after being appropriately cooked, are served for immediate consumption
- Sell certain packaged food
- Provide complimentary drinks in conjunction with another kind of business
- Form part of premises registered under the Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982
Food businesses are categorised according to their level of risk to public health. The classification as a low, medium or high risk food business is determined by the type of food being sold, food handling processes and the intended consumer base.
Home-Based food businesses
As advised by the Department of Health of WA, the Town requires that any home-based food business carries out low risk food activities only. Residential food premises are not constructed in compliance with requirements of the Food Standards Code. In addition, they are ‘mixed use’ as they are available for personal and commercial use. The restriction of home-based business registration to preparation of low risk food only is intended to minimise risk to public health.
Temporary food stalls
A temporary food stall is defined as a food business under the Act and therefore must be registered with the Town. Temporary food stalls must also obtain a Trading in Streets and Public Places licence when trading in a public place or on local government property.
For further information please contact the Town’s Environmental Health Services on 9158 9300.
FoodSafe Online – free food safety training
The Town of Port Hedland provides free online training to enable a fundamental understanding of food hygiene and food safety practices to be developed.
Under the Food Standards Code, all food handlers are required to have adequate skills and knowledge in food hygiene and food safety practices. FoodSafe Online provides the minimum standard of this requirement.
Directions for accessing FoodSafe Online:
Click on this link and on the payment details page, use the unique discount voucher “FSPTHED339” and it will apply the $35 discount. You will need to complete the transaction and follow the downloadable instructions to register and start the course. A printable certificate will be available once you have successfully completed the course.
Useful links:
Assessment of businesses that manufacture food
Food prepared in residential premises
Exempted food businesses
Application for Trading in Streets and Public Places
Application for Food Business/Activity
For further information please contact the Town’s Environmental Health Officers on 9158 9300.