Food Safety
Food Safety and Food Complaints
Council EHO's administer the Food Act in South Australia and carry out routine inspections of food preparation areas and sales outlets. Adequate standards of hygiene and food handling are expected and where standards are breached orders can be issued and on the spot fines given. A nationwide set of standards has been developed for all States and Territories to use in administering food law, ask the EHO for more information.
Council EHO's also handle consumer complaints where substandard or contaminated food has been sold. Formal complaints can be lodged with the EHO in complete confidence.
All EHO queries should be directed to council office 8578 1004.
Food Safety Standards and Compliance
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand is a government agency which controls the Food Standards Code that all food handling businesses must comply with.
The District Council of Karoonda East Murray's Health Officers (EHOs) are involved in conducting routine inspections of food handling businesses to ensure compliance with the Food Act 2021 and regulations as well as to provide advice and guidance on food safety to business owners.
Some areas they look out for are:
- deliveries
- storage
- processing (preparing, cooking, serving)
- displays (bain-maries, cabinets, etc.)
- packaging
- transportation and distribution
- recalls/food disposal
- health, hygiene and knowledge of the food handlers
- general condition and hygiene of the food premises.
DoFoodSafely Program
DoFoodSafely is a free, non-accredited, online learning program provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria and proudly supported by Queensland Health and South Australia Health.
DoFoodSafely is designed to enable you to understand how to safely work with, and handle, food in commercial settings.
By reading through the information you will be ready to undertake the assessment quiz and gain your DoFoodSafely Certificate of Completion – a certificate that is well-respected by the food industry across Australia.
The DoFoodSafely FAQs page can answer any questions you may have around the program.
Click here to start the program.
Temporary Food Premises
Food businesses and community/charity groups intending to operate from a temporary food premises are required to notify council of their activities. Temporary food premises may include once-off stalls at fetes, markets and shows, and community/charity fundraising activities such as sausage sizzles, BBQs and bake sales.
The temporary food stall notification form can be completed online by clicking the link below. You will receive an acknowledgement and council’s EHOs may contact you to discuss any issues. Please keep a copy of your acknowledgement to provide evidence of notification to council and even0t organisers.
Temporary Food Stall Notification Form
Please note that council EHOs may inspect the operation of temporary food premises to ensure compliance with the relevant food safety standards.
The following links provide important information in relation to temporary food premises:
- Health & hygiene for food handlers -www.foodstandards.gov.au
- Sausage sizzles and BBQs - www.foodstandards.gov.au
- Keeping food at the right temperature - www.foodstandards.gov.au
- Cleaning and sanitising - www.sahealth.sa.gov.au
Click here to read the Temporary and Mobile Food Premises Appendix
Need more information?
The SA Health’s pages on food industry sector information and food safety has a wealth of additional information about food safety.
If you have any questions relating to the EHOs and their processes, please contact the District Council of Karoonda East Murray on:
Phone: (08) 8578 1004
Email: council@dckem.sa.gov.au