Food Safety Standard 3.2.2A
The newFood Safety Standard, 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools was published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), the national body responsible for the development of food safety standards in Australia. The new standard introduces requirements for all retail food businesses that handle unpackaged ready-to-eat potentially hazardous foods.
The new standard commences 8 December 2023.
Food safety management tools
The introduction of the new standard aims to strengthen food safety management in food service and related retail sectors by addressing factors that are known to cause foodborne illness outbreaks. The tools have been developed to ensure all food handlers have appropriate skills and knowledge and to improve the management of critical food safety controls.
The food safety management tools you will need to implement will depend on what food category your business is. To assist you to determine what category your business is, Council has created an online food businesses survey.
Category 1 businesses
Category 1 businesses
If you have been identified as a category 1 business, there are three food safety management tools that are relevant to your business.
- Food safety training - all food handlers will need to complete a food safety training course or be able to demonstrate their food handling skills and knowledge.
- Food safety supervisor - all category 1 businesses will need appoint a food safety supervisor who is reasonably available and has completed a relevant food safety supervisor course in the last five years.
- Evidence of key food safety controls- food businesses need to actively monitor and manage food safety risks. An authorised person may require a food business to maintain records to demonstrate this.
Category 2 businesses
Category 2 businesses
If you have been identified as a category 2 business, there are two food safety management tools that are relevant to your business.
- Food safety training – all food handlers will need to complete a food safety training course or be able to demonstrate their food handling skills and knowledge.
- Food safety supervisor - all category 2 businesses will need to appoint a food safety supervisor who is reasonably available and has completed a relevant food safety supervisor course in the last five years.
Food safety training
All food handlers in a business that are involved in the handling of food that is unpackaged potentially hazardous and is used in the preparation of ready-to-eat food is required to have completed a food safety training course or have the relevant skills and knowledge for the type of food handling being undertaken.
Food safety training needs to include:
- safe handling of food
- food contamination
- cleaning and sanitising of food premises and equipment
- personal hygiene.
This will ensure that food handlers have the appropriate knowledge and skills to handle food safely.
There are free online training options available that meet the requirements for food safety training. This includes the I’m Alert food safety training than is available for free via Council’s subscription.
For more information check out frequently asked questions - food safety training.
Food safety supervisor
The Queensland Food Act 2006 has had a requirement for all licensed food businesses to have a food safety supervisor for a number of years.
Council has information available about food safety supervisor.
From 8 December 2023, food safety supervisors will need to obtain a certificate from a registered training organisation to show that the relevant competency units have been completed successfully.
Food safety supervisors will need to be reasonably available, which means they work onsite to oversee food handling or are easily contactable if there are established food handling practices in place.
For more information check out frequently asked questions - food safety supervisor.
Substantiating food safety management (evidence)
Food businesses need to actively monitor and manage food safety risks associated with their business. This can be achieved through documented procedures and keeping records that verify high risk food handling processes. Council strongly encourages all category 1 businesses to maintain the records that demonstrate compliance with the following key food handling controls:
- temperature control for food receipt
- temperature control during food storage
- food processing for any pathogen reducing steps
- time control during food processing
- cooling food
- reheating food
- temperature control for food display
- temperature control during food transport
- cleaning and sanitising.
To assist businesses in implementing these records, Council has developed a range of templates.
Businesses that can demonstrate to an authorised person that they can meet the requirements of the above provisions they may not have to maintain records.
For more information go to frequently asked questions - substantiating food safety management.
Checklist for food businesses
To assist businesses in preparing for the commencement of the new standard, Council has created a checklist for food businesses that steps out what actions need to be taken in the lead up to 8 December 2023.
Download checklist:
For more information
Call the Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).
Frequently asked questions
Food safety training
Do food handlers need refresher training?
Do food handlers need refresher training?
No, however, a food business needs to be aware that additional training may be required for food handlers if your business handlers particularly risky foods or food handling techniques.
Is my internal food safety training acceptable?
Is my internal food safety training acceptable?
In-house food safety training or induction may be acceptable to meet the food safety training requirements if it includes all the topics listed above.
Do I need to keep records of food handlers’ food safety training?
Do I need to keep records of food handlers’ food safety training?
Yes, you will need to provide records to demonstrate that food handlers have completed food safety training to a Council Officer during your routine food safety inspection.
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find more information?
FSANZ’s Safe Food Australia – A guide to the Food Safety Standards provides detailed information and fact sheets on how to apply the food safety standards.
Food safety supervisor
What is the difference between the current food safety supervisor provisions and the new provisions under FSS 3.2.2A?
What is the difference between the current food safety supervisor provisions and the new provisions under FSS 3.2.2A?
The food safety standard 3.2.2A requires specific certificate to be obtained before someone can be appointed as a Food Safety Supervisor.
Are specific training competencies required for a food safety supervisor?
Are specific training competencies required for a food safety supervisor?
Yes, there are specific training competencies required depending on the type of food business. Further information about relevant food safety supervisor competencies are available from Queensland Health.
What if I have a food safety supervisor that doesn’t have a food safety supervisor certification?
What if I have a food safety supervisor that doesn’t have a food safety supervisor certification?
You will need to ensure that your nominated food safety supervisor has a food safety supervisor certification that has been obtained sometime in the last five years.
My food safety supervisor completed their food safety supervisor certification over five years ago, do I need to do anything?
My food safety supervisor completed their food safety supervisor certification over five years ago, do I need to do anything?
Yes, you will need to ensure that your food safety supervisor has a current (issued within the last five years) food safety supervisor certification. The Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that initially provided the food safety supervisor training may offer refresher training. Otherwise, the food safety supervisor will need to re-do the certification to ensure their food safety skills and knowledge remain current.
Does a food safety supervisor certification have an expiry date?
Does a food safety supervisor certification have an expiry date?
Yes, a food safety supervisor certification lasts for five years. Either a refresher food safety supervisor course will need to be completed or the full food safety supervisor.
Am I still required to notify Council of my food safety supervisor details?
Am I still required to notify Council of my food safety supervisor details?
Yes, the Food Act 2006 still requires a food business to notify Council of their food safety supervisor. You can notify Council of your food safety supervisor using the food business approvals form.
What does reasonably available mean?
What does reasonably available mean?
To be an effective supervisor, the food safety supervisor must be reasonably available as a point of contact for food handlers while the business is undertaking food handling activities. The Food Safety Supervisor should be in a position where they can oversee food handling and be involved in the day-to-day operations of the food business.
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find more information?
Substantiating food safety management (evidence)
Am I required to maintain documentation to substantiate food safety management?
Am I required to maintain documentation to substantiate food safety management?
All category 1 businesses are strongly encouraged to maintain records that demonstrate the business is complying with food safety standards for the management of food safety risks. Maintaining records also provides piece of mind for business owners to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that safe food is provided to customers.
A Council officer may require you to maintain records if you cannot demonstrate compliance with the key food handling controls as listed above.
Table 1 of Food Safety Standards 3.2.2A provides more detail on the food handling controls and what documentation meets the requirements of this provision.
How long do I need to keep my food safety records for?
How long do I need to keep my food safety records for?
Where a business is required to keep a record, the record must be kept for at least three months.
Do food safety management records need to be in paper form?
Do food safety management records need to be in paper form?
A record can be kept in either a hard copy format or electronically. However, records need to be available to a Council officer upon request and need to be accessible at the business when the business is operating.