Food safety and hygiene
Food Safety and Hygiene training
Compliance with the Healthy Food and Drink policy, requires paid and volunteer staff to complete FoodSafe Food Handler training (or is equivalent). FoodSafe packages can be purchased from Environmental Health Australia
Food Safety Australia have a number of courses online that are easily accessed, the equivalent training to FoodSafe is the Food Handlers Certificate Course which is $79 to complete online.
Many local councils have subscribed to training called ‘I’m Alert’. Whilst it is not as comprehensive as FoodSafe, it may be considered a good first step for volunteers. Anyone can access it for free through local council websites e.g. City of Fremantle
National Food Safety Standards
The National Food Safety Standards are applicable to all businesses that sell food, including school canteens irrespective of whether those who work in the canteen are paid workers or volunteers. The Standards require all those who prepare food for resale to have training commensurate with the level of activity. This includes voluntary workers.
WASCA, on behalf of FOCiS, coordinated the National School Canteen Food Safety Project funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing. A DVD and handbook package titled ‘Looking after our Kids’ was developed and sent to all schools in 2002. The package was developed specifically for school canteens and was piloted in canteens in schools of all education systems in each State and Territory.
The video and handbook are available FREE online at Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
All food businesses must be registered with the local council. The school has a ‘duty of care’ to ensure food produced and consumed within the school is safe. By taking a whole school perspective to food safety, schools will be sure that they are providing due diligence. Please contact your local Environmental Health Officer who will be able to tell you what level of food preparation is permitted. See your local council website for contact details.
