Food Safety & Hygiene
Council's Environmental Health Officers have a role to ensure that food businesses within the Rural City of Murray Bridge operate in accordance with the Food Safety Standards. This is achieved through a range of services and programs including:
- Regular food safety inspections of food premises
- Investigating food complaints
- Investigation of food poisoning incidents
Food operators must comply with the relevant legislative requirements which include:
- Food Act 2001
- Food Regulations 2002
- Food Safety Standards (FSANZ Food Standards Code Chapter 3)
More information about roles and responsibilities of food business can be obtained from the SA Department of Health Food Safety Section & Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).
If you wish to make a complaint about a food business within the Rural City of Murray Bridge please email your concerns to council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au . If you believe you have food poisoning, medical attention should be sought immediately.
If you are planning to open a new food business there are a few things you should consider:
- Have you notified Council of your food business?
- Are minimum design requirements met as under the Food Safety Standards and Australian Standard (AS4674-2004)?
- Are any other forms of approval required, i.e. Council planning approval?
Please contact Council’s EHOs prior to opening or renovating your food business.
Fact sheet – Kitchens in a food business: Design and fit-out requirements
If you are a new food business Council must be notified before your business starts operating. Notifications are required for restaurants, home kitchens, mobile food vans and other businesses, that sell food or handle food intended for sale.
The notification form only needs to be completed once unless certain business details change.
To notify please complete Food Business Notification Form.
As a temporary food premise, you should consider the design and layout of your stall or mobile food vehicle. It is essential to ensure that the food you are producing is safe and suitable for sale. For further information please refer to the following:
- Fact Sheet - Temporary food stalls
- Fact Sheet - Mobile food vans fact sheet
- SA Health Guideline for Mobile Food Vendors
Many events involving the sale of food occur throughout the community during the year. These include community fundraisers, school fetes, sausage sizzles, weekend markets, festivals and concerts. All organisations that sell or handle food for sale are defined as a food business and should be notified with their home Council (as mentioned in the FBN section).
You must ensure that you have handwashing facilities in place (running water, soap and paper towel) and that you have your food under adequate temperature control (i.e. you need to have a thermometer on site) and the food is stored appropriately. Council’s EHOs randomly undertake inspections of temporary food premises so be prepared for a visit.
If your food stall or van is operating in the RCMB at an event, a Temporary Food Stall notification form may be required to be completed and returned to Council.
If you are holding an event, you should contact the Events team at Council for information on any further requirements.
If you require information on street vending or operating on Council land please contact City Assets for further information. For more information regarding Mobile Food Vendors, here is Council’s Mobile Food Vendor Location Policy
When the initial food inspection is undertaken, a risk classification is given to the food business. This classification is based on what and how the food is produced at the business, which determines inspection frequency. Food businesses can be classified as P1, P2, P3 or P4, with P1 and P2 premises processing and handling higher risk food (i.e. handling raw meat, cooling and reheating food).
Refer to SA Food Business Risk Classification for further information.
The Rural City of Murray Bridge currently uses the food safety rating scheme for inspecting the majority of food business. This means that during the scheduled inspection a score is given to the business based on compliance with the Food Safety Standards. Food businesses can achieve a 3, 4 or 5 star rating, and will receive a certificate from SA Health that can be displayed if the business chooses to.
Refer to SA Health Food Safety Rating Scheme for further information.
To increase knowledge and to enhance the level of professionalism within the region, TAFE SA and the Rural City of Murray Bridge are offering an accredited short course in food safety.
The session covers:
- Legal Requirements of Food Safety
- Preventing Food Spoilage
- Pests and Waste Control
- Cause and Effect of Food Poisoning
- Food Handling Practices
- Storage of Food and Personal Hygiene
Please contact TAFE SA for further information on 8348 4662
Please follow the links below for further food safety resources and fact sheets:
- SA Guide for Labelling Packaged Food
- Fact Sheet - Pest Control
- Fact Sheet - Kitchens in a Food Business
- Fact Sheet - Home-based Food Businesses
- Fact Sheet - Temporary Food Stalls
- Fact Sheet - Mobile Food Vans
- Fact Sheet - Labelling Packaged Food
- SA Health Resources Webpage
- Australian Food Safety Information Council – Egg Safety Quiz