Australian Food Safety Standards

What are the Australian Food Safety Standards?

Australia’s Food Safety Standards are governed by Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) – an independent agency that forms part of the federal government’s health portfolio.

The Food Safety Code developed by FSANZ prohibits the sale of unsuitable food – e.g. food that is damaged, deteriorated, unhygienic, contaminated or that contains a foreign substance. It does this by setting the rules for temperature controls, food handling, environmental conditions, processing, storage, transportation and disposal.

The Code is being continuously updated, so it’s crucial to keep abreast of changes regarding food safety.

Compliance with the Food Safety Code and Standards is mandatory for all organisations and individuals that sell food in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Food Safety Standards

Food safety Standards from Intertek Inform’s online Standards store cover a range of topics, including food safety management systems, hygiene, transportation and audit and certifications.

Here are some popular food safety Standards:

• AS ISO 22003.1:2023 – sets the requirements for bodies that provide audit and certification of food safety management systems.
• AS ISO 22003.2:2023 – food safety requirements for bodies providing evaluation and certification of products, processes and services, including an audit of the food safety system.
• AS ISO 22000:2023 – food safety management systems: requirements for any organisation in the food chain.
• AS 4696: 2023 – hygienic production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption.
• AS/NZS 60335.2.16:2023 – household and similar electrical appliances – safety particular requirements for food waste disposers.
  
  

International food safety Standards and publishers

As well as Australia’s Standards for food safety, there are Standards published by various overseas bodies. This includes:

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)

The ISO is an independent non-governmental organisation comprising representatives from the Standards organisations of member countries. Its published Food Safety Standards include the following:

• ISO 22000:2018 – food safety management systems for any organisation in the food chain
• ISO/TS 22002-5:2019 – food safety: transport and storage.

British Standards Institution (BSI)

The BSI is the national Standards body of the United Kingdom. BSI’s published Standards include:

• BS EN ISO 7218:2024 - TC – Tracked Changes. Microbiology of the food chain. General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations
• PD ISO 22000:2018 – Food safety management systems. A practical guide

National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

NSAI is the oversight committee for participation in Irish, European and International standardisation. NSAI’s publications include:

• I.S. EN ISO 22000:2018 – Food safety management systems - Requirements for any organization in the food chain (ISO 22000:2018)

By following the guidance provided in Food Safety Standards and complying with the regulatory system, you help keep the food industry and the community safe.