FOOD REGULATION POLICY: Emerging Policy Issues

1. FOOD REGULATION POLICY:Emerging Policy Issues Shannon McKiernan National director and NSW/ ACT Branch President Our Environment, Our Health, Our Future www.eh.org.au

2. Emerging Policy Issues Standardised Inspection Reporting Scores on Doors Food Safety Supervisor Regulation 12 monthly Activity Reporting Qualifications and Skills of EHO’s Attraction of EHO’s to workforce Recognition of skills of an EHO to the workforce

3. Standardised Inspection Reporting Consultation with NSW Food Authority and Councils over last 10 months as to content of checklist Driver for state checklist is improved consistency from officer to officer, council to council Estimated that approx 70 plus different checklists currently in use across NSW Supporting material such as guidelines and training will be part of checklist package Pilot commencing in July with approx 15 councils trialling checklist over 6 month period

4. Scores on Doors Increasing interest over last 2 years from councils in NSW keen to develop their own ‘scores on doors’ system Drivers for a state model include need for consistency from officer to officer and council to council One state system will reduce confusion for consumers and food businesses Based on standardised inspection checklist Initially a voluntary model (voluntary participation by councils and food businesses) 6 month pilot involving approx 20 councils will commence in July.

5. Food Safety Supervisor Regulation Requirement for medium and high risk food service businesses that sell PHF for immediate consumption (eg restaurants, takeaway, cafes etc) to have a food safety supervisor qualification High level of consultation through the Retail Food Industry Liaison Group and the Food Regulation Forum members and sub committees

6. 12 Month Activity Reporting In place for 12 months in NSW Councils required under Food Regulation Partnership to report annually to NSW Food Authority on completion of basic functions. Snapshot of State for all food safety matters

7. Additional Policy Issues Qualifications and skills of EHO’s Varies across the nation Continuing Professional Development program Attraction of EHO’s to workforce Hard for employers to attract suitable candidates with relevant skills and experience Need to attract new generation of EHO’s to the profession (traineeships, promotion of profession) Recognition of skills of an EHO to the workforce EHO’s are very versatile and able to work in new and emerging fields such as climate change, emergency management, food technology

8. Thanks For further information please refer to EHA’s website www.eh.org.au Have a great day!!!!!