2016-2018 Work Plan

SA Health and Local Government are committed to working together to continuously improve food safety in South Australia.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Minister for Health and Ageing and the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) reflects the shared responsibility for food safety and clarifies state and local government responsibilities.

The MOU includes an agreement for SA Health and LGA to establish a work plan which aims to continuously improve food safety and the effectiveness of the Food Act in SA.

Work programme / Lead Agency
1 / SA Food Regulations 2002 Review. To include (but not limited to):
  • Ensure inspection fees are set at an appropriate level
  • Review the current notification system.
/ SA Health
2 / Food Safety Rating System
  • Implement a state wide FSRS for P1 and P2 food service businesses
  • Align with work conducted under project 3 and 4
/ SA Health
3 / Enforcement Consistency
  • Develop and improve resources and provide training for Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) that assists with the consistent interpretation, monitoring & enforcement of the Food Act and Food Safety Standards.
/ SA Health / LGA
4 / Notification System Process
  • Food vans / market traders
  • Form
/ SA Health / LGA
5 / National Food Regulation Reform
  • Share information and consult on relevant work being undertaken at the national level; e.g. food safety management.
/ SA Health

*Note – projects are prioritised but work will be undertaken concurrently.

Underpinning Elements for all projects

Communication - Ensure relevant and up-to-date information is provided to EHO’s.

Indicators for Reporting – Ensure appropriate indicators are set to enable effective analysis and reporting of food regulation activities in SA.

Data Management Systems – ensure adequate data management for data collection, storage and analysis for reporting and decision making.

Workforce Development – support education and professional development activities for EHO’s

Small and Remote councils – provide ongoing assistance and support to small and remote councils in fulfilling their Food Act obligations

To align with established reporting timeframes for the annual Food Act report, this work plan will be effective from January, 2016 – June, 2018. Subsequent work plans will revert back to a 24 month, financial year, timeframe.

The Work Plan Working Group (WPWG)

The Working Group was established in 2010 to oversee the work plan with representatives from SA Health, Local Government and Environmental Health Australia. The working group will meet at least half yearly to review the progress of the plan and will report annually to the Public Health Council and LGA executive.

The working group will engage key stakeholders as projects on the work plan progress.