Standard 3.2.2A Laws and Food Safety Supervisor Requirements
From 8 December, 2023 the requirements for Food Safety Supervisors (FSS) across all states will be standardised. For SA, TAS, WA, and NT, this will be the first time food businesses will need a qualified FSS. The other states already require a FSS.
The new Food Safety Supervisor laws mean all category 1 and 2 food business must have a qualified FSS present at each site. Training must be renewed every five years. The changes are in Standard 3.2.2A – Food safety management tools of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Only an Registered Training Organisation such as QMS Audits can deliver the required units of competency.
New laws come into effect on
8 December, 2023
Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools is a new national food standard that is an extension to the current 3.2.2 requirements. This Standard introduces three food safety management tools: food safety supervisor, food handler training and substantiation of critical food safety controls. Businesses serving and handling high risk foods must have trained staff in these three categories by the time the standard is enforced on 8 December, 2023.
Standard 3.2.2A relates to any food service, catering and retail businesses that can be classed as a category 1 or 2 business. The standard applies to all Australian states. Category 1 businesses are those that handle and process potentially hazardous and ready-to-eat foodsto customers on site. This is usually classed as a the higher risk of the two categories. Category 2 businesses handle and serve potentially hazardous foods, but do not process these foods further via slicing, reheating, repacking etc.
From 8 December, 2023 businesses that are found to be non-compliant with the new standard can face a variety of penalties depending on your local government. This new Standard is enforced by local government and penalties vary depending on what state your business operates in. Most commonly, penalties will include fines or, in cases of severe violations, your food license could be revoked.
Unlike the other Australian states, New South Wales has some additional requirements on top of the training requirements outlined by 3.2.2A. In NSW Food Safety Supervisors must receive approval of their qualification from the NSW Food Authority. Our Food Safety Supervisor training has been approved by the NSW Food Authority, so we are able to issue NSW training certificates for our courses if required.
Category 1 and category 2 businesses are affected by the new 3.2.2A standard. These categories are defined as follows.
Category 1:
- Food businesses or services such as caterers that processes and handles unpackaged potentially hazardous and ready-to-eat food.
- Eg. Restaurants, bakeries, caterers
Category 2:
- Businesses that retail potentially hazardous and ready-to-eat food. The food is handled, prepared or packed on site but is not made or processed on the premises.
- Eg. Delis, service stations, markets
For more information, see here Food Safety Management tools, which provides a detailed decision tree to help you identify your businesses category.
FSANZ Approved Food Safety Supervisor courses
QMS Audits have developed specific FSANZ compliant Food Safety Supervisor courses that are 3.2.2A approved across all states. They are designed to cover key FSS requirements based on the sector you choose once enrolled. Currently, we offer courses in sectors including retail, hospitality and health.
Health & Community
$185
FOOD SAFETY SUPERVISOR Training
LEVEL 1 & 2 - COMBINED
- Aged Care, Childcare and Hospitals
- Health and community sector
- Serving vulnerable people
Retail
$185
FOOD SAFETY SUPERVISOR TRAINING
LEVEL 1 & 2 - COMBINED
- Supermarkets, delis, sandwich shops
- Food preparation for retail sale
- Handling processed food
Units of Competency
- SIRRFSA001 – Handle food safely in a retail environment
