Food safety and new websites
For people wanting the start a food business, it can be daunting as to what to do, when to do it, what controls are needed and how to do everything all on a very tight budget.
Although a business coach is probably one of the first things a new business owner should get to help put everything together, there are multiple places to get information if they want to start going alone.
One of the biggest things that food business owners must have an understanding of, is what laws they need to meet and this is particularly important when it comes to food safety.
The New South Wales Food Authority has just set up a brand new page on it’s website to provide food businesses with a clear path to follow to ensure that their food safety obligations are met.
It has a really helpful flowchart that will help all new food businesses work out what they need to do about food safety, particularly those in NSW. It also has links to places that can help with other business issues.
The NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Small Busines, Katrina Hodgkinson said; “Starting a food business is an exciting venture, but it brings with it the responsibilities of food safety requirements and obligations. This new webpage is a helpful tool that provides information about what to consider, what to know and what to do in terms of food safety, legal, licensing and notification requirements. Whether you are looking to diversify an existing food business, or are just starting out, the ‘Starting a food business’ webpage will have the answers. This is about giving people access to the skills and knowledge they need to establish a safe and compliant food business.”
The new webpage can be found at http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/starting-a-food-business/#.UeX1INI3Bsk
At the same time a really interesting little food safety related phone application has come out of Ireland.
The new app offers the following in your hand:
- Guidelines for dealing with food poisoning outbreaks
- Tips for pest control identification and elimination
- Information about the latest food alerts
- Advice for setting up a food business
- Tips for managing food allergies
- Information business owners can leverage when setting up a new business
- Guidelines for managing E. coli 0157
- HACCP templates business owners can refer to in order to ensure they comply with food safety laws
- Information about who to contact for food safety products and services
Although it is based on Irish law, the basic information is applicable throughout the world and it is well worth having a look at and can be found on the iTunes store for free, and it is compatible with both iPhones and iPads.
This article was written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach