When can I edit my food safety program?

If you developed and wrote your own Food Safety Program, you can edit it as changes occur to ensure your Food Safety Program reflects your current practices in your Food Business. If you change your Food Safety Program due to new food process, make sure you re-submit your Food Safety Program to your local Council, so they have a current copy on file.

If you used a Template to create your program, you may be able to edit some sections. If you find that your food processes do not match the content of the Template, and you cannot change that particular section, you need to consider either writing your own Food Safety Program, or obtaining the services of a food safety consultant to write it for you. It is important that the Food Safety Program reflects your exact processes conducted in your Food Business, as required under the legislation.

If your Food Safety Program was written by a consultant, you may not be able to edit the content. However, you must notify your consultant of changes that are required, so that they may update the program on your behalf. Generally, if you are simply updating Food Handler Lists, Cleaning Schedules, or Approved Supplier Lists, you do not need to notify your local Council each time the content changes. However if an entire practice changes, and you need to re-write the description of food services or change procedures, then you need to notify your local Council.

Your Food Safety Program needs to be reviewed on a regular basis, to ensure it is current. Generally, this must be done at least once a year.