Changes to the Food Act 2014 apply this year to cafes, restaurants and caterers and others in food service, who don’t have an alcohol licence. Businesses that provide accommodation and who serve meals to more than 10 guests are also covered. If this sounds like you, you’ll need to register under the Food Act before March 2018.
The new Food Act moves from a one-size-fits all approach to food safety to one that’s tailored to individual businesses. The new rules focus on the process of making food safe, rather than the kitchen where food is made.
It’s likely that you’ll need to register under a template Food Control Plan. MPI’s online ‘Where Do I Fit’ tool is a great place to get started. If you’re under a template food control plan there’s a step-by-step guide to getting registered. There’s also a series of helpful videos to tell you about the Food Act and how other businesses have found the process.
Register now with your local council and avoid the last-minute rush.
