Trends in food safety management in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

This paper examines the implementation of recent changes to Victorian food safety legislation with particular reference to the implications for the foodservice industry. The research findings reported in this paper are based on a major food safety management audit undertaken for the Victorian Auditor General's Office. The components of the audit, on which this paper is based, involved a quantitative survey of all 79 of the Victorian local councils, in-depth qualitative audits of 12 of these councils selected across the range of councils, from central business district to urban, suburban and rural locations, and a telephone survey of 219 food businesses within these 12 councils. Concludes that, to improve food safety awareness among operators, local councils need to pay attention to the provision of effective education and training programs, to the timely review of food safety programs, and to have a risk-based approach to inspections.