Food Authority changes coming from 8 December for ECEC services that serve meals

The New South Wales Food Authority have recently amended the changes commencing 8 December 2023 as they relate to early childhood education and care services, including outside school hours care (OSHC) services that provide food. 

These requirements no longer apply to: 

• services handling food supplied by parents or handling only packaged food  
• services where food handling is part of an educational program and not a commercial offering  
• not-for-profits and charities fundraising at occasional events or providing food for free. 

Services that slice, weigh, repack, reheat or hot-hold unpackaged potentially hazardous food, for example slicing fruit are required to:  

• have at least one qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise all food handlers  
• ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene or can demonstrate the adequate skills and knowledge required. 

Children’s services that prepare and/or cook unpackaged, potentially hazardous food and serve it ready to eat must:  

• have at least one qualified onsite Food Safety Supervisor, who is reasonably available to supervise all food handlers  
• ensure all food handlers are trained in food safety and hygiene, or can demonstrate the adequate skills and knowledge required  
• maintain a record of their food safety risk management or be able to show that their food is safe. 

The NSW Food Authority has developed a food safety management tool and some Q&A’s around these changes which may be accessed here. 

For more information, or for clarification about how these changes may impact your service please contact the food authority directly on 1300 552 406 or email [email protected]