Consultation paper: proposed changes to the Food Act

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Overview

The Food Act 1984 ('the Act') regulates the sale of food in Victoria to ensure that food is safe and suitable for human consumption.

The Act applies to a wide variety of food businesses and also many fund raising activities that involve the sale of food.

In September 2006 the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) commenced an inquiry into the nature of compliance burdens associated with food regulation, and the opportunities for streamlining regulation whilst still meeting the objectives of current regulation.

VCEC released its final report in September 2007 Simplifying the Menu: Food Regulation in Victoria ('the VCEC report')¹. This report contains a range of recommendations to change the statutory framework governing food safety.

The Victorian Government responded to the recommendations in the VCEC report in January 2008. The Government accepted that there are changes that can be made to improve the regulation of food businesses whilst protecting the food supply.

Drawing on the Victorian Government’s response to the VCEC report, the Department of Human Services released a consultation paper which outlined proposals to alter the Act in 2008.

The proposals in the paper included areas such as the following:

1. safety is the key enforcement priority under the Act
2. the roles of Minister for Health, the department and councils
3. better knowledge about the food regulation system
4. a new risk classification system and reform of regulatory requirements
5. single registration for temporary and mobile food premises and
6. improved enforcement of the Act.

Submissions received on this paper have been taken into account in considering what specific amendments should be made to the Act. The Food Amendment (Regulation Reform) Bill has been passed by Parliament.

For more information, read New food safety law for Victoria.

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Consultation paper: Proposed changes to the Food Act - July 2008 (401kb, pdf)

Footnote:
1. This report and the Government response to it are available from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission website.

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