Food safety programs and accreditation
A food safety program is a document that identifies and controls food handling practices and food safety hazards of your business.
In Queensland, a licensable food business must have a food safety program if the business:
- involves off‐site or on‐site catering
- is carried out in association with a private hospital
- processes or serves potentially hazardous food to 6 or more vulnerable persons. For example, a childcare centre, aged care, or palliative care facility.
What should be in a food safety program?
Your food safety program should:
- identify food safety hazards likely to occur while handling food
- describe how identified hazards will be controlled, for example, temperature monitoring and hygiene practices
- detail how your business will monitor the effectiveness of control measures
- define what to do if a hazard is not under control
- outline a review process of the program’s appropriateness for your business
- have all records relating to compliance with the program.
You can develop a food safety program using the Queensland Government's free food safety program templates.
Accreditation of a food safety program
Your food safety program must be accredited by your local government.
You will need to include written advice from an approved food safety auditor. This should confirm the program:
- complies with section 98 of the Food Act 2006
- will effectively control the business’s food safety hazards.
You may need to amend your accredited food safety program if you change how food is handled and the current program will no longer effectively control food safety hazards.
If this occurs, you will need to resubmit your amended program to Council for accreditation. You will need to include written advice from an approved food safety auditor confirming the amended program is compliant.
How to apply
- Select 'Apply for accreditation or amend a food safety program' and sign in to your Online Services account. If you do not have an account, you can register.
- Go to 'Enquiries'.
- Find the enquiry type ‘Permits and Licences - Environmental Health, Public health and Food’ and click 'Start'.
- In the 'I want to make an application for' question, select 'Food Business', and then select 'Amendment to Existing Food Business Premises'.
- Enter your business address. If your business is mobile and you live in City of Moreton Bay, enter your home address. Otherwise, enter Caboolture Administration Building, 2 Hasking Street, Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Then select 'Next'.
- Under 'Details of Premise' select 'Accreditation of Food Safety Program' or 'Amendment to Food Safety Program', answer all questions, then select 'Next'.
- Select 'Lodge' and then review and 'Accept' the terms and conditions.
Apply for accreditation or amend a food safety program
A fee is payable at the time of application, per Council's fees and charges. They are:
- T345 for food safety program accreditation
- T341 for an amendment to a food safety program.
You can pay with Visa or Mastercard.
What happens after your food safety program is accredited?
Once accredited, your food business must adhere to the food safety program. Penalties for noncompliance may include fines, routine inspections, and other corrective actions.
A copy of the program needs to be kept at the food business premises and be accessible to all staff. The program will also undergo regular compliance audits.
Food safety program compliance audits
Food safety program audits help to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance. They identify areas for improvement, reduce costs, and help you maintain industry standards.
The first audit must occur within six months of your accreditation.
Programs need to be audited annually, or at a frequency set by Council, by an approved food safety auditor.
More information or help with your application
For more information or help with your application, refer to food business licences or contact Council.