How to Choose a Food Safety Supervisor

Selecting the right Food Safety Supervisor course is important, choosing the right person to perform this function in your business is also critical.
How to Choose a Food Safety Supervisor
March 29, 2016

Just as selecting the right Food Safety Supervisor course is important, choosing the right person to perform this function in your business is equally critical.

Choosing a Person to Nominate

If you’re a food business owner, you should nominate someone trustworthy – yourself, your licensee, a manager, an employee, or an external contractor – who can fulfil the legal requirements laid out in the Food Act.

This involves choosing a person who:

  • Can demonstrate ‘reasonable availability’ at all times to ensure accountability and to protect your business
  • Understands the role and responsibilities of a Food Safety Supervisor
  • Has the authority to supervise staff in food handling
  • Has the organisational skills to implement a Food Safety Program
  • Can complete Food Safety Supervisor training relevant to your food industry

Legal Requirements of a Food Safety Supervisor

To perform the role of Food Safety Supervisor successfully in your business, the selected person should:

  • Hold a Statement of Attainment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), displaying the completed units of competency
  • Have the role of Food Safety Supervisor embedded in their job with time allocated each day to undertake Food Safety Supervisor tasks

Benefits of A Food Safety Supervisor

A Food Safety Supervisor is a valuable asset because they can:

  • Protect your business against unforeseen events such as food safety emergencies and customer complaints
  • Know what to do should a food safety issue or hazard arise in your business
  • Train and supervise staff in safe food preparation, fostering a culture with high food safety standards
  • Ensure your business meets all requirements to pass a health inspection
  • Build relationships with local government and Environmental Health Officers