Food services hygiene failures cost the economy $1.5BN

Hygiene failures in the food services sector are estimated to cost the Australian economy $1.5 billion annually according to a report by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). 

The FSANZ report has found that seventy-seven per cent of 1257 reported foodborne illness and up to 3.2 million cases are associated with food prepared in food service and related retail settings.

Forty-five per cent of outbreaks were seen in restaurants, 8 per cent in aged care, 7 per cent in commercial catering, 7 per cent in take away and 3 per cent in bakeries. 

“Food service businesses have been linked to a large proportion of foodborne illness in Australia, and continue to be a significant source of illness,” FSANZ’s Call for submissions paper for Proposal P1053, released on Monday, says. 

“This indicates failures in key food handling activities for potentially hazardous food.” 

FSANZ has slated three proposed changes for food safety measures:

• having a food safety supervisor on staff
• training food handlers and ensuring businesses can provide evidence to substantiate food and
• safety management.

There will be three categories for businesses and those associated with higher food safety risks will need to apply more food safety measures than those with less risk. 

An education campaign for businesses and environmental health officers will also be available.

“FSANZ considers these requirements are appropriate and practical, can be readily implemented in the relevant sector, and are able to be maintained over time,” said Interim FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert.

“The proposed changes will help food businesses enhance their food safety management practices, delivering safer food to consumers and supporting improved business and consumer confidence.”

Irit Jackson, 16^th February 2022