food safety

'surveys have indicated that it is likely that the greater majority of small to medium enterprises’ management and staff do not possess sufficient knowledge to comply with the proposed standards of the legislation and the documentation needed."
- Kramer, Jan 'Massey  University  PhD Thesis 2113
Food safety as part of operational audit identifies and measures the following:
  • your current food safety operating systems adequacy against the risk unsafe food poses to your customer base
  • the levels of qualifications your staff have against best practice
  • areas of concern that need to be addressed 
  • non-compliance with regulations and legislation
  • allergy and labelling guidelines compliance and best practice 
  • recommendations and possible action plans.
compliance with:
  • food safety requirements of the Food Act 1981
  • food safety requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Food (Safety) Regulations 2002
  • terms and conditions specified by the regulatory agency in relation to the exemption from the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974
  • with a approved food safety programme if in place 
  • the appropriateness of the food safety programme for your food service
  • special consideration if Cook-Chill is used in your operation
  • the 2014 food act  food control plan if in place.
Any food safety  non-compliance  is followed by a risk assessment and isolation or immediate action needed to mitigate the risk.
The regulations are changing, Consultant Catering can identify and assist in  the following situations:

food safety programme (FSP)
The development of Food Safety Programmes including applying for exemption from the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.

food control plan (FCP)
High-risk businesses require a Food Control Plan under the Food Act 2014 with a three year transition period starting on 1 March 2016.
We can assist with the development of your Food Control Plan.

national programme (NP)
Medium-risk businesses will adhere to the three level National Programme. We can help you work through the process of meeting these requirements of the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and Local Council Enforcement Agents and we can help work through any technical issues that may arise.

training
Consultant Catering will advise on the appropriate level of food safety training for your catering staff, and advise of the the most cost effective methodology for training and accessing competency.