Preparing, serving, and sharing food with those we care about is a joyous experience. In early learning services, this is especially meaningful, as food preparation becomes a shared space for children and adults to connect over a love for food. However, to keep children safe, food preparation in these environments must adhere to strict safety standards.
Did you know that from 8 December 2024, children’s services in NSW providing meals as part of their operation will need to comply with new food safety requirements under Standard 3.2.2A of the Food Standards Code?
What the changes are and who they are relevant for
The requirements apply to children's services supplying unpackaged food that is potentially hazardous and ready-to-eat as part of their service offering.
The additional requirements under Standard 3.2.2A are:
- appointing a Food Safety Supervisor – someone trained in food safety through an approved registered training organisation
- making sure food handlers have appropriate skills and knowledge in food safety and hygiene
- being able to show you are monitoring and managing key risks related to food temperature control, food processing, and cleaning and sanitising by either keeping records or established processes.
What is a potentially hazardous food?
Potentially hazardous foods are foods that must be kept at a particular temperature to minimise the growth of food poisoning bacteria that may be in the food, or to stop the formation of toxins.
Examples of potentially hazardous food include:
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raw or cooked meat
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smallgoods
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dairy products
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seafood (excluding live seafood)
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processed fruit and vegetables
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cooked pasta and rice
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foods containing eggs, beans, nuts, or other protein-rich foods.
Why were the changes introduced?
In 2018, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation identified that food-borne illness outbreaks in Australia were from food service and retail businesses.
These changes will support services to improve their food-handling skills and knowledge to ensure the health and well-being of the children who attend their service.
What is a Food Safety Supervisor?
The Food Safety Supervisor (FFS) oversees the daily food handling operations, guides food handlers to ensure food is stored correctly, and manages any associated risks.
The FFS must be certified within the past five years and have skills and knowledge in food safety, especially around high-risk foods.
Food Safety Supervisor training is delivered by approved Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Training is delivered online, face-to-face, in the workplace, or a combination, and can generally be completed in one full day. Children’s services staff can qualify to be an FSS through either pathway.
The service will also need to ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene. This is available in the link below as a free non-accredited course.
FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Demonstrating food is safe
This can be achieved by keeping records and demonstrating safe food practices.
A written instruction sheet and procedures would be useful to support handlers in their day-to-day work handling food.
Specific activities that must be monitored include:
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temperature control during food receipt
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storage
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display
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transport
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pathogen reduction during food processing;
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minimising time during food processing
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cooling food
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reheating food
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cleaning and sanitising.
Who they do not apply to
Standard 3.2.2A requirements do not apply to:
- services handling food supplied by parents or handling only packaged food
- services where food handling is part of an educational program and not a commercial offering
- services where the only potentially hazardous food served is milk
- the handling of food to raise funds solely for community or charitable causes providing food for free
Find out which Food Safety Management Tools apply to your business
Take a short quiz from the NSW government Food Authority to find out which Food Safety Management Tools apply to your business under the new Standard 3.2.2A in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Other helpful resources
There are a series of posters and Fact sheets available on the website which you can access by the below links.
Guidelines to Food Safety Supervisors (FFS) requirements
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/FSS_Guidelines.pdf
Food Handlers Basics training
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/training/food-handler-basics-training
Showing that food is safe - Standard 3.2.2A
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/retail/standard-322a-food-safety-management-tools/showing-food-safe
NSW Government Food Authority - overview
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/retail/childrens-services
Further information
About CELA
Community Early Learning Australia is a not for profit organisation with a focus on amplifying the value of early learning for every child across Australia - representing our members and uniting our sector as a force for quality education and care.