Department of Health

Key messages

  • If a class 2 food business uses a department-registered food safety program template, it needs a food safety assessment.
  • A food safety assessment is different to a food safety audit.
  • A food safety assessment involves councils conducting an annual assessment of the food safety programs of a food business.

Class 2 food businesses that use a department-registered food safety program template do not need an audit of their food safety program. This is because these templates are structured documents that have been registered and deemed suitable by the Secretary to the Department of Health.

A class 2 premises does, however, need to be assessed each year to ensure it is complying with its food safety program.

A food safety assessment involves councils conducting an annual assessment of the food safety programs of a food business to determine:

  • if the business has used the correct department-registered food safety program template
  • if the business is complying with its food safety program and applicable Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Reviewed 20 September 2022

Health.vic

Contact details

Food Safety Unit

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