It is a requirement of the Food Act 2003 and Food Standards Code that food businesses must notify the appropriate regulatory agency before they commence operations.
Food businesses that are regulated by Council are required to notify their business details to Council by using Notification of Food Business form. This applies to any retail food businesses except for retail butchers.
Examples of food businesses that are regulated by Council include:
- Cafes
- Retail bakeries
- Restaurants
- Take away shops
- Pubs/clubs
- Caterers
- Supermarkets
- Groceries
- Convenience stores
- School and college canteens; and
- Childcare facilities that provide food
Businesses operating as a Portable Water Carter are recognised as a food business under the Food Act NSW and are required to notify council under legislation. For further information please refer to Water Filling Stations.
Food Business Notification Form
Other types of food businesses are regulated directly by the NSW Food Authority, and are required to submit their Food Business Notifications directly to them. These include:
- Food wholesalers;
- Food manufacturers, including home-based food manufacturers; and
- Food businesses that require a food safety licence.
Food Business Notification to the NSW Food Authority.