INTRODUCTION OF STANDARD 3.2.2A – FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TOOLS
The District Council of Grant has received notification from SA Health that a new Food Safety Standard, 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools, is now in effect.
Introduction of this standard presents new requirements for all food service, catering, and retail businesses that handle unpackaged, ready-to-eat, and potentially hazardous foods.
What does this mean?
The businesses that this applies to, must implement new food safety management tools, which is based on the risk of the food handling activities performed by the business. Depending on the businesses category type, they will need to adopt two or three. These tools are:
- mandatory food handler training
- implementation of a food safety supervisor
- substantiation of key food handling activities.
Category 1 Businesses
Category 1 businesses are required to implement all three food safety management tools. Category 1 businesses must ensure they:
- have all food handlers complete a food safety training course or can demonstrate their food handling skills and knowledge
- appoint a certified food and safety supervisor and ensure they are reasonably available when the business handles potentially hazardous foods
- can demonstrate to an authorized officer that they have complied with prescribed provisions.
Businesses captured under Food Safety Standard 3.3.1 – Food Safety Programs for Food Service to Vulnerable Persons and is a Category 1 business must ensure they comply with the implementation of a food safety supervisor, because your business will have already implemented a food safety program which includes two of the new food safety tools.
Category 2 Businesses
Category 2 businesses are required to implement two of three new food safety management tools. To do this, category 2 businesses must ensure they:
- make sure all food handlers have completed a food safety training course or can demonstrate their food handling skills and knowledge
- appoint a certified food and safety supervisor and ensure they are reasonably available when the business handles potentially hazardous foods.
If your business is a Category 1, Category 2 or is captured under Food Safety Standard 3.3.1 – Food Safety Programs for Food Service to Vulnerable Persons and is a Category 1 business, you must implement the new standards by 8 December 2023.
Food Safety Supervisor Certification
The new Standard 3.2.2A - Food Safety Management Tool required both category 1 and 2 businesses to appoint a certified Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). Those appointed must complete units of competency from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Visit SA Health's website to learn more about the training required and find a list of RTO's.
Need more information?
- Read SA Health's Frequently Asked Questions on Food Safety Management Tools (Standard 3.2.2A).
- Access more information including videos, resources and to read the standards, via the SA Health: Food Safety Management website.
