Food Safety and Hygiene
I'M ALERT – Free Online Food Safety Training
Hornsby Shire Council takes food hygiene within our region very seriously. All food businesses have obligations, and the Hornsby Shire Council is assisting food businesses to meet these obligations by providing free access to this exciting new training tool.
There is a high demand for training within the food sector. This training will assist food handlers in developing the required skills and knowledge to ensure food is handled in a safe and hygienic manner.
The program is easy to follow, includes an entertaining presentation as well as interactive quizzes and the ability to view Chinese text and captions. A training acknowledgement form can be printed upon completion and be kept as a part of your staff records.
Visit hornsby.imalert.com.au to conduct the training now.
- Download the I'm Alert Food Safety brochure (PDF 3.9MB)
The NSW Food Authority provides a wide range of food safety information for different food premises types. Information is available in a variety of translations that can be accessed via the NSW Food Authority website.
How do I make a complaint about a suspected food-borne illness?
Contact the NSW Food Authority on 1300 552 406 or via the NSW Food Authority website. The Authority will note your details and either investigate the complaint or refer it to the relevant local council for investigation.
How do I register a retail food premises
All food premises must be registered with Council. When a food premises changes proprietor these details must be updated.
How do I register a home-based food premises?
If you are interested in setting up a food business, such as catering, from a domestic residence you need to check whether the food premises will require development consent from Council. Please contact Council’s duty planner on 9847 6760.
After obtaining a permission to operate a food business from your residential address you are required to notify a regulatory body of your business details before you start operating.
Prior to the commencement of the business, the business operator is requested to notify Council’s Health Team of the business’ details by completing a Home based food Premises Notification Form.
To arrange an inspection for compliance against the relevant legislation in regards to design and fit out of the food premises please contact Council’s Administration Officer on 9847 6039.
Find out more on how to set up a food business from a residential premises.
Do you want to be prepared for your next food safety inspection?
Perform a self check by going through the Food Premises Assessment Report (FPAR) yourself
How do I raise concerns about a food premises?
Council investigates complaints regarding food premises. If you have concerns about a food premises you can ask Council to investigate using the following link.
Hornsby Shire Council is responsible for regulating all retail and service food premises throughout the Shire, including mobile food vendors.
Temporary food events
Food stalls at temporary events must comply with the requirements in the NSW Food Authorities Guidelines for Businesses at Temporary Events.
Often charities, organisations and volunteers sell food for charitable purposes. Food safety information for charity groups and volunteers can be found on the NSW Food Authority’s website.
To notify Council, please complete the Temporary Food/Market Stall Notification Form.
Mobile food vendors
Mobile food vendors must be registered with Council and the NSW Food Authority. Mobile food vendors are required to apply for a section 68 approval. Please see the below link for an application form
If approval is granted, you will need to have your vehicle inspected by Council to ensure it complies with the NSW Food Authority’s Guidelines for Mobile Food Vending Vehicles.
To book your mobile food vehicle for an inspection please telephone 9847 6039.
- Register a mobile food vendor or change your details with Council
- General Conditions of Approval to Operate (PDF 108kb)
Selling from a fixed site
The carrying out of the retail sale of food, drinks and related products on private land from a mobile outlet such as a food truck, van, cart or other similar vehicle must comply with the requirements for 'Mobile food and drink outlets' under State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) 2008.
For further information on the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 please click on the following link: https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/EPI/2008/572/part2/div1/subdiv27a
Scores On Doors
Council participates in the Scores on Doors program which enables consumers to make informed choices about where to eat or shop for food based on food premises hygiene ratings.