Audit snapshot
What we reviewed and why
Food safety is vital to protecting public health and wellbeing. Strong regulatory systems and effective enforcement help to prevent illnesses, hospitalisations and deaths resulting from foodborne diseases.In South Australia, food safety is managed by both the Department for Health and Wellbeing and local government. They work together to administer and enforce the Food Act 2001 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
We reviewed selected state and local government activities to assess whether food safety is effectively managed in council areas. Part A looks at how the Department for Health and Wellbeing oversees and supports councils in managing food safety. Part B reviews key food safety activities of two local government entities.
What we concluded
Part A
The Department for Health and Wellbeing had effective activities to oversee and support councils to manage food safety in their council areas. We noted improvement opportunities for the Department to maximise the strategic value of the data it collects, address the absence of a centralised system about food businesses operating in South Australia, and review the memorandum of understanding between the Minister for Health and Wellbeing and the Local Government Association of South Australia.
Part B
The Eastern Health Authority and the City of Tea Tree Gully had a range of effective food safety management activities that enable food businesses to provide safe and suitable food to the community, including conducting inspections and audits of food businesses and investigating complaints. We identified some opportunities to improve the effectiveness of their governance arrangements, such as evaluating and reporting on their performance against set performance indicators.
Our report provides insights on how councils can effectively manage food safety, including developing clear food safety management plans, strategies and performance measures, improving risk management, documenting policies and procedures and developing education strategies.
