Food Safety Supervisor

High levels of both food borne illness and increasing numbers of consumer complaints within the food service industry have prompted the introduction of new legislation from the NSW Food Authority

The new legislation requires certain food businesses to have at least one trained food safety supervisor per food premises (not per business).

The food safety supervisor requirement will initially apply to businesses serving food that is:

  • Ready to eat
  • Potentially hazardous
  • Not sold and serviced in its package.

Examples of businesses included in the introduction of the legislation are:

  • Restaurants
  • Cafe
  • Takeaway shops
  • Caterers
  • Bakeries
  • Pubs
  • Clubs
  • Hotels
  • Supermarket hot food sales.

Food businesses that do not fall within the above parameters will commence at a later date.

Each appointed food safety supervisor will need to receive training in nationally recognised units of competency and hold a food safety supervisor certificate.

Food Safety Supervisor Recertification Training

Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) certificates expire 5 years from the date of issue. Any food businesses that have an appointed FSS and their certificate is due to expire will need to enrol them in recertification training with an approved Registered Training Organisation under the FSS program.

Under certain circumstances, the Registered Training Organisation can take into account the applicant’s prior learning, while still providing training in the three key focus areas.

When an FSS holder’s certification expires, a food business has 30 days to ensure:

  1. The FSS renews their training within 30 working days; or
  2. Another FSS with a current qualification is appointed

For further information: