Food safety programs

All proprietors have a duty of care to ensure the food they sell is safe. All food businesses must have a Food Safety Program in place to operate.

All proprietors have a duty of care to ensure the food they sell is safe. All food businesses must have a Food Safety Program in place to operate in the City of Darebin.

A Food Safety Program is a written plan which helps you control risks within your business.

All proprietors opening a new food business or transferring into an existing food business are also required to have a Food Safety program in place.

If you are a business owner, you need to nominate a Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). The Supervisor is responsible for creating and reviewing the Food Safety Program. All areas outlined in the Food Safety Program are to be demonstrated to the Health Officer during the approval process.

Obtaining a Food Safety Program

A proprietor with a Class 2 premises can choose to use either of the following program types:

1. Food Safety Program template

Use the Victorian Government's FoodSmart website to create a food safety program, which have been designed to be easy and cost effective.

It will use your answers to create a food safety program template which is specific to your business that can be completed over a period of time.

The full project may take a few hours but if required, the program can be saved and continued at a later date. For more information contact Information Victoria on 1300 366 356.

2. Third party audited food safety programs

Class 1 premises are businesses who provide food to vulnerable groups within the community, including:

  • nursing home kitchens
  • child care centres
  • hospital kitchens

This is a site specific food safety program which must be approved by an independent auditor. The Department of Health can provide you with a list of independent auditors.

The role of the independent auditor is to assess the site according to the documentation provided, therefore the food safety program must be fully operational at the time of approval.

Learn more about food handling processes and how to handle food safely:

Food safety video

Further information

Health Protection
Phone: 03 8470 8658
Email: health@darebin.vic.gov.au