Victorian Bills[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]
This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause Page
1. Purposes 1
2. Commencement 2
3. Substitution of section 3 2
3. Objects of Act 2
4. Definitions 2
5. Insertion of sections 4A4G 11
4A. Meaning of "food" 11
4B. Meaning of "food business" 12
4C. Meaning of "primary food production" 13
4D. Meaning of "unsafe" food 14
4E. Meaning of "unsuitable" food 15
4F. Reference to proprietors of premises 16
4G. Sale of food through food vending machines 17
6. Orders 17
7. Insertion of sections 6A and 6B 17
6A. Application of Act to primary food production 17
6B. Application of Act to water suppliers 18
8. Substitution of Part II 18
PART II--OFFENCES RELATING TO FOOD 18
Division 1--Serious Offences Relating to Food 18
8. Knowingly handling food in unsafe manner 18
8A. Handling food in unsafe manner in other circumstances 19
9. Knowingly selling unsafe food 19
9A. Sale of unsafe food in other circumstances 19
10. Knowingly falsely describing food 20
10A. Falsely describing food in other circumstances 20
Division 2--Other Offences Relating to Food 21
11. Handling and sale of unsafe food 21
12. Handling and sale of unsuitable food 21
13. Misleading conduct relating to sale of food 22
14. Sale of food not complying with purchaser's demand 23
15. Sale of unfit equipment or packaging or labelling
material 23
16. Compliance with Food Standards Code 24
i
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Clause Page
17. Proprietor's name to be affixed to premises 25
17A. False descriptions of food 25
17B. Application of provisions outside jurisdiction 27
Division 3--Defences 27
17C. Defence relating to publication of advertisements 27
17D. Defence in respect of food for export 28
17E. Defence of due diligence 28
17F. Defence of mistaken and reasonable belief not available 31
17G. Defence in respect of handling food 31
17H. Defence in respect of sale of unfit equipment or
packaging or labelling material 31
9. Consequential amendments in Parts III and IIIA 31
10. Insertion of section 19BA 33
19BA. Outline of this Part 33
11. Changes concerning declaration of premises 34
12. Substitution of section 19D 34
19D. Food safety programs 35
19DA. Food safety program template 35
19DB. Registration of food safety program templates 36
19DC. Standard food safety programs 37
13. Substitution of section 19E 37
19E. Declared premises must have food safety program 37
14. Directions concerning food safety programs 38
15. Food safety supervisors 39
16. Insertion of sections 19GA and 19GB 40
19GA. Declared premises must have food safety supervisor 40
19GB. Name of supervisor to be provided on request 40
17. Substitution of sections 19H and 19I 40
Division 3--Inspection of Standard Food Safety Programs 41
19H. Application of this Division 41
19HA. Registration authority may inspect premises 41
19HB. Procedure if program not implemented or complied
with 41
Division 3A--Audit of Non-Standard Food Safety Programs 42
19I. Application of this Division 42
19IA. Requirement to audit 42
18. Other consequential amendments to Part IIIB 43
19. Exemptions concerning food safety programs 43
20. Powers of authorized officers 44
21. Change to Part heading 44
22. Substitution of sections 3537 44
35. Food business premises to be registered with council 44
ii
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Clause Page
36. Registration of Crown premises 45
37. Notification of certain information not required 45
23. Exemption from registration 45
24. Substitution of section 38A 45
38A. Applications must include food safety program 46
38B. Application must include name of food safety
supervisor 47
25. Requirements for registration 47
26. Consequential amendments concerning registration 47
27. Substitution of Part VII 49
PART VII--EMERGENCY POWERS 49
44. Making of order 49
44A. Nature of order 49
44B. Special provisions relating to recall orders 51
44C. Manner of making orders 52
44D. Compensation 53
44E. Failure to comply with emergency order 54
44F. Person has no right to be heard before order made 54
44G. Secretary may obtain enforcement order 54
28. Insertion of section 50A 54
50A. Alternative verdicts for serious food offences 55
29. Insertion of sections 52A and 52B 55
52A. Offences by employers 55
52B. Liability of employees and agents 56
30. Insertion of sections 53A and 53B 56
53A. Court may order costs and expenses 56
53B. Court may order corrective advertising 57
31. Substitution of section 56 57
56. Protection against liability 57
32. Consequential amendments to regulation-making powers 58
33. Insertion of Part XII 59
PART XII--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 59
63C. Existing orders to continue 59
63D. Extended application of Division 3 of Part IIIA 59
34. Amendments to the Magistrates' Court Act 60
ENDNOTES 61
iii
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Initiated in Assembly 4 April 2001
A BILL
to amend the Food Act 1984 and for other purposes.
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
1. Purposes
The main purposes of this Act are to amend the
Food Act 1984--
(a) to give effect to the core provisions of the
5 Model Food Act endorsed by the Council of
Australian Governments in 2000; and
(b) to make further provision with respect to
food safety programs; and
(c) to improve the enforcement provisions of
10 that Act.
1
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 2
Act No.
2. Commencement
(1) Section 1 and this section come into operation on
the day after the day on which this Act receives
the Royal Assent.
5 (2) Subject to sub-section (3), the remaining
provisions of this Act come into operation on a
day or days to be proclaimed.
(3) If a provision referred to in sub-section (2) does
not come into operation before 1 January 2002, it
10 comes into operation on that day.
3. Substitution of section 3
See:
For section 3 of the Food Act 1984 substitute-- Act No. 10082.
Reprint No. 5
"3. Objects of Act as at
8 February
The objects of this Act include the 1998
15 following-- and
amending
(a) to ensure food for sale is both safe and Act Nos
48/1997,
suitable for human consumption; 76/1999 and
74/2000.
(b) to prevent misleading conduct in LawToday:
www.dms.
connection with the sale of food;
dpc.vic.
gov.au
20 (c) to provide for the application in
Victoria of the Food Standards Code.".
4. Definitions
(1) For section 4(1) of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
25 '(1) In this Act--
"advertisement" means--
(a) any words, whether written or
spoken; or
(b) any pictorial representation or
30 design; or
2
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
(c) any other representation by any
means at all--
used or apparently used to promote,
directly or indirectly, the sale of food;
5 "analysis" includes any examination or
testing of food or any other thing;
"analyst" means a person authorized under
section 30 to carry out analyses for the
purposes of this Act;
10 "animal" includes an amphibian, bird,
crustacean, fish, mollusc or reptile;
"approved food safety auditor" means a
person holding a current certificate
issued under section 19P;
15 "article" means--
(a) any food; or
(b) any equipment; or
(c) a package; or
(d) any labelling or advertising
20 material used or capable of being
used in or in connection with the
sale of any food;
"authorized officer" means--
(a) a person who is authorized by the
25 Secretary under section 20(1) for
the purposes of this Act; or
(b) a medical officer of health or an
environmental health officer
appointed under Division 3 of
30 Part II of the Health Act 1958; or
3
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
(c) for the purposes of enforcing the
provisions of this Act in relation
to any dairy premises, milk or
dairy food within the meaning of
5 the Dairy Act 2000, a person who
is an authorised officer appointed
under section 43 of the Dairy Act
2000; or
(d) a person who, under the Meat
10 Industry Act 1993, is appointed
as, or has the powers of, an
inspector or is a person authorised
to be an inspector by an inspection
service approved under section 7
15 of that Act; or
(e) in relation to a food premises--
(i) operated by or on behalf of
the Crown; or
(ii) on land that is not part of a
20 municipal district--
the Secretary; or
(f) a person to whom, under
section 8A of the Health Act
1958, the Secretary delegates any
25 of the functions or powers of an
authorized officer under this Act;
"books" includes any register or other
record of information and accounts or
accounting records (within the meaning
30 of the Corporations Law), however
compiled, recorded or stored, and also
includes any document;
4
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
"corresponding law" means a law of
another State or a Territory which the
Governor in Council by Order declares
to be a law that makes provision
5 substantially similar to a provision of
this Act;
"council" has the same meaning as in the
Local Government Act 1989, and
"the council" means the council of the
10 municipal district to which the
provision in which the term is used
applies;
"declared premises" means a food premises
that is of a class that has been declared
15 under section 19C;
"Department" means the Department of
Human Services;
"equipment" means the whole or part of--
(a) any utensil, machinery,
20 instrument, device, apparatus or
appliance that is used, or that is
designed or intended for use, in or
in connection with the handling of
food; or
25 (b) any substance, utensil, machinery,
instrument, device, apparatus or
appliance that is used, or that is
designed or intended for use, in
cleaning anything referred to in
30 paragraph (a);
"examine" includes weigh, count, test and
measure;
"food" has the meaning given by section
4A;
5
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
"food business" has the meaning given by
section 4B;
"food premises" means any premises at, on
or from which food is sold, or handled
5 with the intention that it be sold, but
does not include--
(a) any premises used solely for the
purposes of a primary food
production business, enterprise or
10 activity; or
(b) any premises or other place
declared by an Order made under
section 5(3) not to be a food
premises;
15 "Food Safety Council" means the Food
Safety Council established under
section 60;
"food safety program" has the meaning
given by section 19D;
20 "food safety program audit" has the
meaning given by section 19J;
"food safety program template" has the
meaning given by section 19DA;
"Food Safety Standards" means the
25 standards contained in Chapter 3 of the
Food Standards Code;
"food safety supervisor" has the meaning
given by section 19G;
"Food Standards Code" means the
30 Australia New Zealand Food Standards
Code as defined in the Australia New
Zealand Food Authority Act 1991 of
the Commonwealth;
6
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
"food transport vehicle" means a vehicle
used for the transport of food for sale;
"food vending machine" means a machine
or mechanical device used or capable of
5 being used for selling food without any
intervention or attention by or on behalf
of the seller at the time of the sale;
"handling", in relation to food, includes the
making, manufacturing, producing,
10 collecting, extracting, processing,
storing, transporting, delivering,
preparing, treating, preserving, packing,
cooking, thawing, serving or displaying
of food;
15 "hazard" means a biological, chemical,
radiological or physical agent or factor
that may adversely affect the health of
any person;
"label" includes any tag, brand, mark or
20 statement in writing or any
representation or design or other
descriptive matter on or attached to or
used or displayed in connection with or
accompanying any food or package;
25 "package" includes any container or
wrapper in or by which food intended
for sale is wholly or partly encased,
covered, enclosed, contained or packed
and, in the case of food carried or sold
30 or intended to be carried or sold in
more than one package, includes every
such package;
"person" includes a body or association
(corporate or unincorporate) and a
35 partnership;
7
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
"premises" includes--
(a) land (whether or not vacant); and
(b) the whole or any part of a
building, tent, stall or other
5 structure (whether of a permanent
or temporary nature); and
(c) a pontoon; and
(d) a vehicle (other than a food
transport vehicle while it is
10 engaged in the transport of food);
"prepare" includes manufacture, process
and treat;
"prescribed" means prescribed by this Act,
the regulations or a prescribed food
15 standard;
"prescribed food standard" has the
meaning given by section 63A;
"primary food production" has the
meaning given by section 4C;
20 "proprietor" of a food business means--
(a) the person carrying on the food
business; or
(b) if that person cannot be identified,
the person in charge of the food
25 business;
"public statutory body" means any body
created by, or under the authority of, an
Act of the Commonwealth or of a State
or Territory for a public purpose;
8
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
"recall order" means an order under
Part VII requiring the recall or disposal,
or both, of any food;
"registered medical practitioner" means a
5 registered medical practitioner within
the meaning of the Medical Practice
Act 1994;
"registration authority" means the relevant
registration authority, as determined
10 under sections 35 and 36;
"sample" includes part of a sample;
"Secretary" means the Secretary to the
Department of Human Services;
"sell" includes--
15 (a) barter, offer or attempt to sell; and
(b) receive for sale; and
(c) have in possession for sale; and
(d) display for sale; and
(e) cause or permit to be sold or
20 offered for sale; and
(f) send, forward or deliver for sale;
and
(g) dispose of by any method for
valuable consideration; and
25 (h) dispose of to an agent for sale on
consignment; and
(i) provide under a contract of
service; and
(j) supply food as a meal or part of a
30 meal to an employee in
accordance with a term of an
award governing the employment
9
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 4
Act No.
of the employee or a term of the
employee's contract of service, for
consumption by the employee at
the employee's place of work; and
5 (k) dispose of by way of raffle, lottery
or other game of chance; and
(l) offer as a prize or reward; and
(m) give away for the purpose of
advertisement or in furtherance of
10 trade or business; and
(n) supply food under a contract
(whether or not the contract is
made with the consumer of the
food), together with
15 accommodation, service or
entertainment, in consideration of
an inclusive charge for the food
supplied and the accommodation,
service or entertainment; and
20 (o) supply food (whether or not for
consideration) in the course of
providing services to patients in
hospitals or prisoners in prisons;
and
25 (p) sell for the purpose of resale;
"service", in relation to a food vending
machine, means stock or replenish that
machine with food;
"standard food safety program" has the
30 meaning given by section 19DC;
"substance" includes a mixture or
compound;
10
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
"therapeutic good" has the same meaning
as it has in the Therapeutic Goods Act
1989 of the Commonwealth;
"this Act" includes the regulations;
5 "unsafe" has the meaning given by
section 4D;
"unsuitable" has the meaning given by
section 4E;
"vehicle" means any means of transport,
10 whether self-propelled or not, and
whether used on land or sea or in the
air.'.
(2) Section 4(2) of the Food Act 1984 is repealed.
(3) For sections 4(3)(a) and 4(3)(b) of the Food Act
15 1984 substitute--
"(a) food or equipment that is displayed for the
purpose of being offered as a prize or reward
or given away for the purpose of
advertisement or in the furtherance of trade
20 or business is taken to have been displayed
for sale by the owner of the food or
equipment;".
(4) In section 4(3)(c) of the Food Act 1984, for "shall
be deemed" substitute "is taken".
25 5. Insertion of sections 4A4G
After section 4 of the Food Act 1984 insert--
'4A. Meaning of "food"
(1) In this Act, "food" includes--
(a) any substance or thing of a kind used,
30 or represented as being for use, for
human consumption (whether it is live,
raw, prepared or partly prepared);
11
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
(b) any substance or thing of a kind used,
or represented as being for use, as an
ingredient or additive in a substance or
thing referred to in paragraph (a);
5 (c) any substance used in preparing a
substance or thing referred to in
paragraph (a) (other than a substance
used in preparing a living thing) if it
comes into direct contact with the
10 substance or thing referred to in that
paragraph, such as a processing aid;
(d) chewing gum or an ingredient or
additive in chewing gum, or any
substance used in preparing chewing
15 gum;
(e) any substance or thing declared to be a
food under a declaration in force under
section 3B of the Australia New
Zealand Food Authority Act 1991 of
20 the Commonwealth.
(2) A substance, thing, chewing gum or
ingredient or additive in chewing gum
described in sub-section (1) is food
regardless of whether or not it is in a
25 condition fit for human consumption.
(3) However, food does not include a
therapeutic good.
(4) To avoid doubt, "food" may include live
animals and plants.
30 4B. Meaning of "food business"
In this Act, "food business" means a
business, enterprise or activity (other than a
12
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
business, enterprise or activity that is
primary food production) that involves--
(a) the handling of food intended for sale;
or
5 (b) the sale of food, regardless of whether
the business, enterprise or activity
concerned is of a commercial,
charitable or community nature or
whether it involves the handling or sale
10 of food on one occasion only.
4C. Meaning of "primary food production"
(1) In this Act, "primary food production"
means the growing, raising, cultivation,
picking, harvesting, collection or catching of
15 food, and includes the following--
(a) the transportation or delivery of food
on, from or between the premises on
which it was grown, raised, cultivated,
picked, harvested, collected or caught;
20 (b) the packing, treating (for example,
washing) or storing of food on the
premises on which it was grown, raised,
cultivated, picked, harvested, collected
or caught;
25 (c) the storage of food in a silo that is not
connected with a food processing
operation and the transportation or
delivery of food from, between or to
such silos;
30 (d) the sale of livestock at saleyards and
the transportation of livestock to and
from saleyards;
(e) any other food production activity that
is regulated by or under an Act
13
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
prescribed by the regulations for the
purposes of this sub-section.
(2) However, primary food production does not
include--
5 (a) any process involving the substantial
transformation of food (for example,
manufacturing or canning), regardless
of whether the process is carried out on
the premises on which the food was
10 grown, cultivated, picked, harvested,
collected or caught; or
(b) the sale or service of food directly to
the public; or
(c) any other food production activity that
15 is prescribed by the regulations for the
purposes of this sub-section.
Note: Section 4C(2)(c) enables regulations to be
made prescribing food production activities
that are not included in the definition of
20 primary food production. Such a regulation
might be made, for example, to prescribe a
food production activity in relation to which
significant and unmanaged food safety hazards
have been identified.
25 4D. Meaning of "unsafe" food
(1) For the purposes of this Act, food is
"unsafe" at a particular time if it would be
likely to cause physical harm to a person
who might later consume it, assuming--
30 (a) it was, after that particular time and
before being consumed by the person,
properly subjected to all processes (if
any) that are relevant to its reasonable
intended use; and
35 (b) nothing happened to it after that
particular time and before being
14
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
consumed by the person that would
prevent it being used for its reasonable
intended use; and
(c) it was consumed by the person
5 according to its reasonable intended
use.
(2) However, food is not unsafe for the purposes
of this Act merely because its inherent
nutritional or chemical properties cause, or
10 its inherent nature causes, adverse reactions
only in persons with allergies or sensitivities
that are not common to the majority of
persons.
(3) In sub-section (1), "processes" include
15 processes involving storage and preparation.
4E. Meaning of "unsuitable" food
(1) For the purposes of this Act, food is
"unsuitable" if it is food that--
(a) is damaged, deteriorated or perished to
20 an extent that affects its reasonable
intended use; or
(b) contains any damaged, deteriorated or
perished substance that affects its
reasonable intended use; or
25 (c) is the product of a diseased animal, or
an animal that has died otherwise than
by slaughter, and has not been declared
by or under another Act to be safe for
human consumption; or
30 (d) contains a biological or chemical agent,
or other matter or substance, that is
foreign to the nature of the food.
15
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 5
Act No.
(2) However, food is not unsuitable for the
purposes of this Act merely because--
(a) at any particular time before it is sold
for human consumption it contains an
5 agricultural or veterinary chemical; or
(b) when it is sold for human consumption
it contains an agricultural or veterinary
chemical, so long as it does not contain
the chemical in an amount that
10 contravenes the Food Standards Code;
or
(c) it contains a metal or non-metal
contaminant (within the meaning of the
Food Standards Code) in an amount
15 that does not contravene the permitted
level for the contaminant as specified in
the Food Standards Code; or
(d) it contains any matter or substance that
is permitted by the Food Standards
20 Code.
(3) In this section, "slaughter" of an animal
includes the killing of an animal in the
process of capturing, taking or harvesting it
for the purposes of preparing it for use as
25 food.
4F. Reference to proprietors of premises
A reference to the proprietor of a declared
premises, food premises or premises is a
reference to the proprietor of the food
30 business that operates at, on or from the
premises.
16
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 6
Act No.
4G. Sale of food through food vending
machines
For the purposes of this Act, any food that is
sold through a food vending machine is to be
5 taken to be sold--
(a) by the proprietor of the premises on
which the machine is located; and
(b) on the day when, and at the place
where, the food is received by the
10 purchaser.'.
6. Orders
Sections 5(1)(b), 5(3)(b) and 5(3A)(b) of the Food
Act 1984 are repealed.
7. Insertion of sections 6A and 6B
15 After section 6 of the Food Act 1984 insert--
'6A. Application of Act to primary food
production
(1) Parts IV and VI do not apply to or in respect
of primary food production.
20 (2) The functions conferred on authorized
officers by sections 19 and 19B and Part IIIB
may only be exercised in respect of primary
food production--
(a) to enable the investigation and
25 prosecution of offences against this Act
or the regulations; or
(b) in connection with the making or
enforcement of emergency orders under
Part VII.
30 Note: The definition of "food business" excludes
primary food production.
17
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
6B. Application of Act to water suppliers
(1) The following provisions of this Act do not
apply to, or in relation to, a water supplier in
respect of the supply of water for human
5 consumption through a reticulated water
system--
(a) sections 8, 8A, 10, 10A, 11(1), 12(1),
13, 14, 15 and 16 (but only to the extent
to which they require compliance with
10 the requirements of the Food Safety
Standards);
(b) Parts IV and VI.
(2) In this section, "water supplier" means--
(a) a body that is constituted by or under
15 an Act and that has as or as one of its
functions the supply of water for human
consumption; or
(b) a person that is employed or engaged
by such a body to supply water for
20 human consumption; or
(c) any body or person prescribed by the
regulations for the purposes of this
section.'.
8. Substitution of Part II
25 For Part II of the Food Act 1984 substitute--
"PART II--OFFENCES RELATING TO FOOD
Division 1--Serious Offences Relating to Food
8. Knowingly handling food in unsafe manner
(1) A person must not handle food intended for
30 sale in a manner that the person knows will
render, or is likely to render, the food unsafe.
18
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) is
guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to
a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of an individual, $100 000
5 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both;
(b) in the case of a corporation, $500 000.
8A. Handling food in unsafe manner in other
circumstances
(1) A person must not handle food intended for
10 sale in a manner that the person ought
reasonably to know is likely to render the
food unsafe.
(2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) is
guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to
15 a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of an individual, $75 000;
(b) in the case of a corporation, $375 000.
9. Knowingly selling unsafe food
(1) A person must not sell food that the person
20 knows is unsafe.
(2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) is
guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to
a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of an individual, $100 000
25 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both;
(b) in the case of a corporation, $500 000.
9A. Sale of unsafe food in other circumstances
(1) A person must not sell food that the person
ought reasonably to know is unsafe.
30 (2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) is
guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to
a penalty not exceeding--
19
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(a) in the case of an individual, $75 000;
(b) in the case of a corporation, $375 000.
10. Knowingly falsely describing food
(1) A person must not cause food intended for
5 sale to be falsely described if the person
knows that a consumer of the food who
relies on the description will, or is likely to,
suffer physical harm.
Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
10 contained in section 17A.
(2) A person must not sell food that the person
knows is falsely described and will, or is
likely to, cause physical harm to a consumer
of the food who relies on the description.
15 Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
contained in section 17A.
(3) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) or
(2) is guilty of an indictable offence and is
liable to a penalty not exceeding--
20 (a) in the case of an individual, $100 000
or imprisonment for 2 years, or both;
(b) in the case of a corporation, $500 000.
10A. Falsely describing food in other
circumstances
25 (1) A person must not cause food intended for
sale to be falsely described if the person
ought reasonably to know that a consumer of
the food who relies on the description is
likely to suffer physical harm.
30 Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
contained in section 17A.
(2) A person must not sell food that the person
ought reasonably to know is falsely
20
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
described and is likely to cause physical
harm to a consumer of the food who relies on
the description.
Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
5 contained in section 17A.
(3) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) or
(2) is guilty of an indictable offence and is
liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of an individual, $75 000;
10 (b) in the case of a corporation, $375 000.
Division 2--Other Offences Relating to Food
11. Handling and sale of unsafe food
(1) A person must not handle food intended for
sale in a manner that will render, or is likely
15 to render, the food unsafe.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(2) A person must not sell food that is unsafe.
20 Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
12. Handling and sale of unsuitable food
(1) A person must not handle food intended for
25 sale in a manner that will render, or is likely
to render, the food unsuitable.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
30 (2) A person must not sell food that is
unsuitable.
21
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(3) For the purposes of this section, it is
5 immaterial whether the food concerned is
safe.
13. Misleading conduct relating to sale of food
(1) A person must not, in the course of carrying
on a food business, engage in conduct that is
10 misleading or deceptive or is likely to
mislead or deceive in relation to the
advertising, packaging or labelling of food
intended for sale or the sale of food.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
15 individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(2) A person must not, for the purpose of
effecting or promoting the sale of any food
in the course of carrying on a food business,
20 cause the food to be advertised, packaged or
labelled in a way that falsely describes the
food.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
25 case of a corporation.
Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
contained in section 17A.
(3) A person must not, in the course of carrying
on a food business, sell food that is packaged
22
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
or labelled in a way that falsely describes the
food.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
5 case of a corporation.
Note: Examples of food that is falsely described are
contained in section 17A.
(4) Nothing in sub-section (2) or (3) limits the
generality of sub-section (1).
10 14. Sale of food not complying with purchaser's
demand
(1) A person must not, in the course of carrying
on a food business, supply food by way of
sale if the food is not of the nature or
15 substance demanded by the purchaser.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(2) For the purposes of this section, it is
20 immaterial whether the food concerned is
safe.
15. Sale of unfit equipment or packaging or
labelling material
(1) A person must not sell equipment that if used
25 for the purposes for which it was designed or
intended to be used--
(a) would render or be likely to render food
unsafe; or
(b) would put other equipment, or would
30 be likely to put other equipment, in
such a condition that, if the other
equipment were used for the purposes
for which it was designed or intended
23
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
to be used, it would render, or be likely
to render, food unsafe.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
5 case of a corporation.
(2) A person must not sell packaging or
labelling material that if used for the
purposes for which it was designed or
intended to be used would render or be likely
10 to render food unsafe.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
16. Compliance with Food Standards Code
15 (1) A person must comply with any requirement
imposed on the person by a provision of the
Food Standards Code in relation to the
conduct of a food business or to food
intended for sale or food for sale.
20 Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(2) A person must not sell any food that does not
comply with any requirement of the Food
25 Standards Code that relates to the food.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
24
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(3) A person must not sell or advertise any food
that is packaged or labelled in a manner that
contravenes a provision of the Food
Standards Code.
5 Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
(4) A person must not sell or advertise for sale
any food in a manner that contravenes a
10 provision of the Food Standards Code.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual and $200 000 in the
case of a corporation.
17. Proprietor's name to be affixed to premises
15 (1) The proprietor of a food business must
ensure that his, her or its name is
prominently displayed on any food premises
used in connection with the food business.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
20 (2) A person who sells any food from any
premises on which the name of any other
person appears under sub-section (1) must be
taken to have sold the food as the agent of
that other person, unless the contrary is
25 proved.
17A. False descriptions of food
(1) For the purposes of this Part, food that is
falsely described includes food to which any
one or more of the following paragraphs
30 applies--
(a) the food is represented as being of a
particular nature or substance for which
there is a prescribed standard under the
Food Standards Code and the food does
25
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
not comply with that prescribed
standard;
(b) the food is represented as being of a
particular nature or substance and it
5 contains, or is mixed or diluted with,
any substance in a quantity or
proportion that significantly diminishes
its food value or nutritive properties as
compared with food of the represented
10 nature or substance;
(c) the food is represented as being of a
particular nature or substance and it
contains, or is mixed or diluted with,
any substance of lower commercial
15 value than food of the represented
nature or substance;
(d) the food is represented as being of a
particular nature or substance and a
constituent of the food has been wholly
20 or partly removed so that its properties
are diminished as compared with food
of the represented nature or substance;
(e) any word, statement, device or design
used in the packaging or labelling of
25 the food, or in an advertisement for the
food, would create a false impression as
to the nature or substance of the food,
or the commercial value of the food, in
the mind of a reasonable person;
30 (f) the food is not of the nature or
substance represented by the manner in
which it is packaged, labelled or
offered for sale.
26
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(2) Without limiting the application of sub-
section (1) of this section to sections 10(2)
and 10A(2), food is falsely described for the
purposes of sections 10(2) and 10A(2) if it is
5 supplied in response to a purchaser's request
for a particular type of food, or a food that
does not contain a particular ingredient, and
the food is not of that type or contains that
ingredient.
10 17B. Application of provisions outside
jurisdiction
Except as provided in section 17D, for the
purposes of a provision of this Part, it does
not matter that the food concerned was sold
15 or intended for sale outside Victoria.
Note: See section 17D for a defence in relation to
food intended for export.
Division 3--Defences
17C. Defence relating to publication of
20 advertisements
(1) In any proceedings for an offence under this
Part in relation to the publication of an
advertisement, it is a defence for a person to
prove that the person carried on the business
25 of publishing or arranging for the publication
of advertisements and that the person
published or arranged for the publication of
the advertisement in question in the ordinary
course of that business.
30 (2) Sub-section (1) does not apply if the
person--
(a) should reasonably have known that the
publication of the advertisement was an
offence; or
27
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(b) had previously been informed in
writing by the Secretary that
publication of such an advertisement
would constitute an offence; or
5 (c) is the proprietor of a food business or is
otherwise engaged in the conduct of a
food business for which the
advertisements concerned were
published.
10 17D. Defence in respect of food for export
(1) In any proceedings for an offence under this
Part involving a contravention of or failure
to comply with a provision of the Food
Standards Code in relation to food, it is a
15 defence for a person to prove that--
(a) the food in question is to be exported to
another country; and
(b) the food complies with the laws (if any)
in force at the time of the alleged
20 offence in the place to which the food is
to be exported, being laws that deal
with the same subject-matter as the
provision of the Food Standards Code
concerned.
25 (2) This section does not apply to food that was
originally intended for export but was sold in
Victoria.
17E. Defence of due diligence
(1) In any proceedings for an offence under this
30 Part, it is a defence if it is proved that the
person took all reasonable precautions and
exercised all due diligence to prevent the
commission of the offence by the person or
by another person under the person's control.
28
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(2) Without limiting the ways in which a person
may satisfy the requirements of sub-section
(1), a person satisfies those requirements if it
is proved--
5 (a) that the commission of the offence was
due to--
(i) an act or default of another
person; or
(ii) reliance on information supplied
10 by another person; and
(b) that--
(i) the person carried out all such
checks of the food concerned as
were reasonable in all the
15 circumstances; or
(ii) it was reasonable in all the
circumstances to rely on checks
carried out by the person who
supplied the food concerned to the
20 person; and
(c) that the person did not import the food
into the jurisdiction from another
country; and
(d) in the case of an offence involving the
25 sale of food, that--
(i) the person sold the food in the
same condition as when the
person purchased it; or
(ii) the person sold the food in a
30 different condition to that in
which the person purchased it, but
that the difference did not result in
any contravention of this Act; and
29
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 8
Act No.
(e) that the person did not know and had no
reason to suspect at the time of
commission of the alleged offence that
the person's act or omission would
5 constitute an offence under the relevant
section.
(3) In sub-section (2)(a), another person does
not include a person who was--
(a) an employee or agent of the defendant;
10 or
(b) in the case of a defendant that is a body
corporate, a director, employee or agent
of the defendant.
(4) Without limiting the ways in which a person
15 may satisfy the requirements of sub-section
(1) or (2)(b)(i), a person may satisfy those
requirements by proving that--
(a) in the case of an offence relating to a
food business for which a food safety
20 program is required, the person
complied with a food safety program
for the food business; or
(b) in any other case, the person complied
with a scheme (for example, a quality
25 assurance program or an industry code
of practice) that was--
(i) designed to manage food safety
hazards and was based on
Australian national or
30 international standards, codes or
guidelines designed for that
purpose; and
(ii) documented in some manner.
30
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 9
Act No.
17F. Defence of mistaken and reasonable belief
not available
In any proceedings for an offence under
Division 2, it is no defence that the
5 defendant had a mistaken but reasonable
belief as to the facts that constituted the
offence.
17G. Defence in respect of handling food
In any proceedings for an offence under
10 section 8, 8A, 11(1) or 12(1), it is a defence
if it is proved that the person caused the food
to which the offence relates to be destroyed
or otherwise disposed of immediately after
the food was handled in the manner that was
15 likely to render it unsafe or unsuitable.
17H. Defence in respect of sale of unfit
equipment or packaging or labelling
material
In any proceedings for an offence under
20 section 15(1) or (2), it is a defence if the
person proves that the person reasonably
believed that the equipment or material
concerned was not intended for use in
connection with the handling of food.".
25 9. Consequential amendments in Parts III and IIIA
In the Food Act 1984--
(a) section 18 is repealed;
(b) insert the following heading in section 19--
"Powers with respect to unclean food
30 premises";
(c) in section 19(1)--
(i) in paragraph (a), omit "or a food
vehicle is";
31
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 9
Act No.
(ii) in paragraph (b), omit "or in a food
vehicle";
(iii) in paragraph (b), for "unfit for human
consumption or is adulterated"
5 substitute "unsafe or unsuitable";
(iv) in paragraph (c), omit "or food
vehicle";
(v) in paragraph (d), omit "or in the food
vehicle";
10 (vi) in paragraph (d), for "fit for human
consumption or is not adulterated"
substitute "safe and suitable";
(d) sections 19(2)(b) and 19(2)(c) are repealed;
(e) in section 19(2)--
15 (i) omit "or the food vehicle has";
(ii) omit "or that vehicle";
(iii) for "fit for human consumption or is not
adulterated" substitute "safe and
suitable";
20 (f) in sections 19(3) and 19(4), for "appliance"
(wherever occurring) substitute
"equipment";
(g) in section 19(5)--
(i) omit "food vehicle," (wherever
25 occurring);
(ii) for "appliance" (wherever occurring)
substitute "equipment";
(iii) in paragraph (b), omit "vehicle,";
32
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 10
Act No.
(h) in section 19(6)--
(i) omit "food vehicle,";
(ii) for "appliance" (wherever occurring)
substitute "equipment";
5 (iii) omit "or in the vehicle";
(iv) for "fit for human consumption or is not
adulterated" substitute "safe and
suitable";
(v) in paragraph (a), omit "vehicle,";
10 (i) section 19A is repealed;
(j) in section 19B(1), for "section 19A"
substitute "this Act";
(k) in section 19B(1)(c), for "unfit for human
consumption or adulterated" substitute
15 "unsafe or unsuitable";
(l) in section 19B(2), omit ", food vehicle".
10. Insertion of section 19BA
Before section 19C of the Food Act 1984
insert--
20 "19BA. Outline of this Part
(1) In outline this Part--
· requires the proprietors of declared food
businesses to have a food safety program
to assist in preventing and controlling
25 dangerous incidents arising from the sale
and handling of food;
· provides for proprietors to choose to
create their own food safety program, or,
in most cases, to choose to use a
30 standard food safety program (which is a
food safety program developed by
individual proprietors from a set of
33
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 11
12
Act No.
instructions known as a food safety
program template);
· provides for proprietors who choose, or
who are required, to create their own
5 food safety program to have the program
independently audited at certain intervals
in accordance with this Part;
· provides for proprietors who choose to
use a standard food safety program to
10 not have to have the program audited,
but to be liable to have their compliance
with the food safety program checked by
the registration authority at certain
intervals;
· requires proprietors to ensure that there
15
is a food safety supervisor for their food
premises.
(2) This section is intended only as a guide to
readers as to the general scheme and effect
20 of this Part.".
11. Changes concerning declaration of premises
In section 19C of the Food Act 1984--
(a) insert the following heading--
"Declaration that this Part applies to
25 premises";
(b) in sub-section (1), omit "or food vehicles";
(c) in sub-section (3)--
(i) omit "or vehicle" (wherever occurring);
(ii) for "an adequate" substitute "a".
30 12. Substitution of section 19D
34
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
For section 19D of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
"19D. Food safety programs
A food safety program for a food premises is
5 a written document that--
(a) systematically identifies the potential
hazards that may be reasonably
expected to occur in each food handling
operation that is to be, or that is being,
10 conducted at the premises; and
(b) identifies where, in a food handling
operation, each hazard identified under
paragraph (a) can be controlled and the
means of control; and
15 (c) provides for the systematic monitoring
of those controls; and
(d) provides for appropriate corrective
action when that hazard, or each of
those hazards, is found not to be under
20 control; and
(e) provides for the regular review of the
program by the proprietor of the food
premises; and
(f) provides for appropriate records to be
25 made and kept by the proprietor of the
food premises demonstrating action
taken in relation to, or in compliance
with, the program.
19DA. Food safety program template
35
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 12
Act No.
A food safety program template is a written
document that--
(a) contains a set of instructions to enable
the proprietor of a food business to
5 create a food safety program that
complies with section 19D; and
(b) that has been registered by the
Secretary for the purposes of this Part
under section 19DB.
10 19DB. Registration of food safety program
templates
(1) The Secretary may register a food safety
program template if the Secretary is satisfied
that the template appears to be suitable for
15 use by the proprietors of food businesses.
(2) The Secretary registers a food safety
program template by publishing a notice in
the Government Gazette stating that the
template is registered for use and specifying
20 the classes of food businesses in respect of
which the template is suitable for use.
(3) The Secretary may revoke the registration of
a food safety program template by
publishing a notice in the Government
25 Gazette stating that the registration of the
template is revoked.
(4) The notice required by sub-section (2) or (3)
must contain sufficient detail to enable the
food safety program template to which it
30 refers to be readily identified.
(5) If the Secretary revokes the registration of a
food safety program template, any standard
36
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 13
Act No.
food safety program that was created using
the template before the template was revoked
ceases to be a standard food safety program
on the date of expiry of the registration of
5 the premises to which the program relates.
19DC. Standard food safety programs
A standard food safety program is a food
safety program for a food premises that
complies with the following conditions--
10 (a) it has been created using a food safety
program template in accordance with
the instructions set out in the food
safety program template; and
(b) the food safety program template is
15 specified as suitable for use under
section 19DB for a food business of the
class that is being carried out at, on or
from the food premises.".
13. Substitution of section 19E
20 For section 19E of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
"19E. Declared premises must have food safety
program
(1) The proprietor of a declared premises
25 must--
(a) ensure that there is a food safety
program for the premises that complies
with section 19D; and
(b) comply with the requirements set out in
30 the food safety program; and
(c) ensure that if there is a change in the
activities carried out at the premises,
37
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 13
14
Act No.
that the food safety program is
reviewed and, if necessary, revised to
enable it to continue to comply with
section 19D; and
5 (d) give the registration authority a copy of
any revision that is made to the food
safety program within 14 days after the
revision is made.
(2) The proprietor of a declared premises
10 complies with sub-section (1)(a) if the
proprietor uses a standard food safety
program for the premises.
(3) If an audit certificate given under section
19L or 19M states that a food safety program
15 for a premises was adequate at the date of
the audit, the proprietor of the premises is to
be taken to be complying with sub-section
(1)(a) on that date.
(4) Sub-section (1) does not apply until the
20 premises is first registered, or has its
registration renewed or transferred for the
first time, after it becomes a declared
premises.
(5) A failure to comply with sub-section (1) is a
25 ground for--
(a) the refusal of the registration, renewal
of registration or transfer of registration
of the premises;
(b) the revocation or suspension of
30 registration of the premises.".
14. Directions concerning food safety programs
38
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
For section 19F(1) of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
"(1) The Secretary or the registration authority
may direct the proprietor of a food business
5 that uses a declared premises in connection
with the business--
(a) to comply with any specified
requirement in the food safety program
for the premises; or
10 (b) if Division 3A applies to the premises,
to have the food safety program for the
premises audited in accordance with
this Act.".
15. Food safety supervisors
15 In the Food Act 1984--
(a) in the heading to Division 2 of Part IIIB, for
"Instructors" substitute "Supervisors";
(b) insert the following heading to
section 19G--
20 "Food safety supervisors";
(c) in section 19G(1)--
(i) for "instructor" substitute "supervisor";
(ii) omit "or vehicle" (wherever occurring);
(d) for sections 19G(1)(b) and 19G(1)(c)
25 substitute--
"(b) has met an appropriate food safety
competency standard for premises of
the same nature as the premises; and
(c) has the ability and the authority to
30 supervise other people handling food
39
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 16
17
Act No.
at, or from, the premises and ensure
that that handling is done safely.".
16. Insertion of sections 19GA and 19GB
After section 19G of the Food Act 1984 insert--
5 "19GA. Declared premises must have food safety
supervisor
(1) The proprietor of a food business must, in
relation to any declared premises used in
connection with the business, ensure that
10 there is a food safety supervisor for the
premises.
(2) The food safety supervisor for a premises
may be the proprietor of the premises.
(3) A failure to comply with this section is a
15 ground for--
(a) the refusal of the registration, renewal
of registration or transfer of registration
of the food premises;
(b) the revocation or suspension of
20 registration of the food premises.
19GB. Name of supervisor to be provided on
request
The proprietor of a declared premises must
give the registration authority written details
25 of the name and of the qualifications or
experience of the current food safety
supervisor for the premises within 7 days of
being asked to do so by the registration
authority.".
30 17. Substitution of sections 19H and 19I
40
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
For section 19H, the heading to Division 3 of
Part IIIB and section 19I of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
"Division 3--Inspection of Standard Food
5 Safety Programs
19H. Application of this Division
This Division only applies to a food
premises if--
(a) the food safety program for the
10 premises is a standard food safety
program; and
(b) the proprietor of the premises has
advised the registration authority under
section 38A(3) that that program is a
15 standard food safety program.
19HA. Registration authority may inspect premises
The registration authority may inspect a food
premises at any time to determine whether
the food business carried out at the premises
20 is operating in accordance with the food
safety program for the premises.
19HB. Procedure if program not implemented or
complied with
(1) If the registration authority is of the opinion,
25 after an inspection of a food premises has
been conducted, that the food safety program
for the premises has not been implemented,
or has not been complied with, the
registration authority must advise the
30 proprietor of the food premises in writing--
(a) of that opinion and the reasons for that
opinion; and
41
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 17
Act No.
(b) of what needs to be remedied to ensure
that the food safety program is
implemented or fully complied with;
and
5 (c) that the matters referred to in
paragraph (b) must be remedied--
(i) as soon as is practicable, if the
registration authority is of the
opinion that a serious threat to
10 public health exists on the food
premises; or
(ii) in any other case, within a
specified period of 21 days or
more.
15 (2) A failure to comply with a notice under sub-
section (1) is a ground for--
(a) the refusal of the registration, renewal
of registration or transfer of registration
of the food premises;
20 (b) the revocation or suspension of
registration of the food premises.
Division 3A--Audit of Non-Standard Food
Safety Programs
19I. Application of this Division
25 This Division applies to any declared
premises in respect of which Division 3 does
not apply.
19IA. Requirement to audit
(1) The proprietor of a food business must, in
30 relation to any declared premises used in
connection with the business, ensure that a
food safety program audit is conducted in
relation to that program at the intervals
42
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 18
19
Act No.
required by section 19K if a declaration
applying to the premises has been made
under that section.
(2) A failure to comply with sub-section (1) is a
5 ground for--
(a) the refusal of the registration, renewal
of registration or transfer of registration
of the premises;
(b) the revocation or suspension of
10 registration of the premises.".
18. Other consequential amendments to Part IIIB
In the Food Act 1984--
(a) in section 19F(3), omit "or vehicle"
(wherever occurring);
15 (b) in sections 19J(2), 19K, 19L, 19M, 19N,
19S(2) and 19V, omit "or vehicle"
(wherever occurring);
(c) in sections 19K(2) and 19V, omit "or
vehicles" (wherever occurring);
20 (d) in sections 19M(2) and 19M(6)(a), for
"adulterated or unfit for human
consumption" substitute "unsafe or
unsuitable";
(e) in section 19O, omit "or food vehicle";
25 (f) in sections 19P(3)(a) and 19U(1)(b), omit
"or food vehicles";
(g) sections 19U(2), 19U(3) and 19U(4)(b) are
repealed;
(h) in section 19V(1), before "a class of" insert
30 "the proprietors of".
19. Exemptions concerning food safety programs
43
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
After section 19V(1)(c) of the Food Act 1984
insert--
"(ca) the need to have a food safety supervisor in
relation to a premises; or".
5 20. Powers of authorized officers
(1) In section 20(5) of the Food Act 1984, omit "or
food vehicle".
(2) After section 22(4) of the Food Act 1984 insert--
"(5) In the case of a vending machine, it is
10 sufficient compliance with sub-section (1) if
the authorized officer obtains the sample by
making proper payment for it.".
21. Change to Part heading
In the heading to Part VI of the Food Act 1984,
15 omit "AND FOOD VEHICLES".
22. Substitution of sections 3537
For sections 35, 35A, 36 and 37 of the Food Act
1984 substitute--
"35. Food business premises to be registered
20 with council
(1) The proprietor of a food business must not
allow the business to operate from any food
premises--
(a) that is not registered in accordance with
25 this Part with the council of the
municipal district in which the premises
is located; or
(b) during any time that the registration of
the premises under this Part is
30 suspended.
44
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 23
24
Act No.
Penalty: 50 penalty units for a first offence
and 100 penalty units for a second
or subsequent offence.
(2) This section does not apply--
5 (a) to the Crown; or
(b) in respect of any food business being
operated on behalf of the Crown; or
(c) to any premises that is on land that is
not part of a municipal district.
10 36. Registration of Crown premises
Any food premises that is used for the
purposes of a food business, but that does
not have to be registered under section 35,
must be registered with the Secretary.
15 37. Notification of certain information not
required
Section 16 (to the extent to which it requires
the notification of the information specified
in the Food Safety Standards that is to be
20 notified to the registration authority before a
food business is conducted) does not apply
with respect to any food premises that is
registered, or to be registered, under this
Part.".
25 23. Exemption from registration
After section 38(6) of the Food Act 1984 insert--
"(7) A food premises that is used by a business in
respect of which a licence has been issued
under Part 3 of the Dairy Act 2000 is
30 exempt from the requirement to be registered
under this Act while that licence is in force.".
24. Substitution of section 38A
45
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
For section 38A of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
"38A. Applications must include food safety
program
5 (1) An application for the registration of a
declared premises must be accompanied by a
copy of the food safety program for the
premises.
(2) An application for the renewal or transfer of
10 registration of a declared premises must be
accompanied by one of the following--
(a) a statement signed by the proprietor of
the premises that the current food safety
program for the premises is identical to
15 the last copy of the food safety program
lodged with the registration authority;
or
(b) a statement signed by the proprietor of
the premises--
20 (i) that the current food safety
program for the premises has not
been significantly amended since
the date the last copy of the
program was lodged with the
25 registration authority; and
(ii) containing full details of the
amendments that have been made
since that date; or
(c) a copy of the food safety program for
30 the premises.
(3) If the food safety program for the premises is
a standard food safety program, the
application for registration, renewal or
transfer must also state that fact.
46
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 25
26
Act No.
38B. Application must include name of food
safety supervisor
An application for the registration, renewal
of registration or transfer of registration of a
5 declared premises must include the name of
the food safety supervisor for the premises.".
25. Requirements for registration
For section 39(2) of the Food Act 1984
substitute--
10 "(2) In addition, if the premises is a declared
premises, the registration authority must be
satisfied--
(a) if the application for registration,
renewal or transfer states that the food
15 safety program for the premises is a
standard food safety program, that the
program complies with the conditions
listed in section 19DC; and
(b) in any other case, that there is a food
20 safety program for the premises that
complies with section 19D; and
(c) that no other ground for the refusal of
registration, the renewal of registration
or the transfer of registration, of the
25 premises exists under Part IIIB.".
26. Consequential amendments concerning registration
In the Food Act 1984--
47
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
(a) in section 38(3), for "food vehicle or class of
food vehicle" substitute "class of food
premises";
(b) in section 39--
5 (i) in sub-section (1), omit "or food
vehicle";
(ii) omit "or vehicle" (wherever occurring);
(c) in section 39A--
(i) in sub-section (1), omit "or vehicle"
10 (wherever occurring);
(ii) in sub-section (4), for "food vehicle or
to a class of food premises or food
vehicle" substitute "to a class of food
premises";
15 (d) in sections 39B, 40(1) and 40A--
(i) omit "or food vehicle";
(ii) omit "or vehicle";
(e) in section 40B, omit "or food vehicle";
(f) in section 40C--
20 (i) omit "or vehicle" (wherever occurring);
(ii) in paragraph (a), omit "or vehicles";
(g) in section 40D--
(i) omit "or food vehicle";
(ii) omit "or vehicle" (wherever occurring);
25 (h) in sections 40E, 41A(2)(a) and 42(1), omit
"or food vehicle";
(i) in section 43(6)--
(i) omit "or food vehicle is";
48
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
Act No.
(ii) omit "or that vehicle is";
(j) in section 55(1)(b)--
(i) omit "or food vehicle";
(ii) omit "or in the vehicle" (wherever
5 occurring);
(iii) omit "or the vehicle";
(k) in section 58A(2), omit "or food vehicle".
27. Substitution of Part VII
For Part VII of the Food Act 1984 substitute--
10 "PART VII--EMERGENCY POWERS
44. Making of order
An order may be made under this Part by the
Secretary if the Secretary has reasonable
grounds to believe that the making of the
15 order is necessary to prevent or reduce the
possibility of a serious danger to public
health or to mitigate the adverse
consequences of a serious danger to public
health.
20 44A. Nature of order
(1) An order under this Part may do any one or
more of the following--
(a) require the publication of warnings, in a
form approved by the Secretary, that a
25 particular food or type of food is
unsafe;
(b) prohibit the cultivation, taking,
harvesting or obtaining, from a
specified area, of a particular food or
30 type of food or other primary produce
intended to be used for human
consumption;
49
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
Act No.
(c) prohibit a particular food or type of
food from being advertised or sold;
(d) direct that a particular food or type of
food consigned or distributed for sale
5 or sold be recalled and specify the
manner in which, and the period within
which, the recall is to be conducted;
(e) direct that a particular food or type of
food or other primary produce intended
10 to be used for human consumption be
impounded, isolated, destroyed or
otherwise disposed of and specify the
manner in which the impounding,
isolation, destruction or disposal is to
15 be conducted;
(f) prohibit absolutely the carrying on of
an activity in relation to a particular
food or type of food, or permit the
carrying on of the activity in
20 accordance with conditions specified in
the order;
(g) without limiting the generality of
paragraph (f), impose conditions for or
with respect to requiring the taking and
25 analysis of samples of the food or of
water or soil or any other thing that is
part of the environment in which that
activity is carried on in relation to the
food;
30 (h) specify methods of analysis (not
inconsistent with any methods
prescribed by the Food Standards
Code) of any samples required to be
taken in accordance with the order.
50
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
Act No.
(2) An order under this Part may be varied or
revoked by the Secretary in the same manner
as the order was made.
44B. Special provisions relating to recall orders
5 (1) A recall order may require the person, or the
persons of a class, that is bound by the order
to disclose to the public or to a class of
persons specified in the order, in a manner so
specified, any one or more of the
10 following--
(a) the particular food or type of food to be
recalled or disposed of;
(b) the reasons why the food is considered
to be unsafe;
15 (c) the circumstances in which the
consumption of the food is unsafe;
(d) procedures for disposing of the food.
(2) A person who is required by a recall order to
conduct a recall of any food must give
20 written notice to the Secretary of the
completion of the recall as soon as
practicable after that completion.
(3) A person who is bound by a recall order is
liable for any reasonable costs incurred by or
25 on behalf of the Secretary in connection with
the recall order and any such costs are taken
to be a debt due to the Secretary from that
person.
(4) In any proceedings for the recovery of the
30 debt, a certificate signed by the Secretary
stating the amount of any costs and the
manner in which they were incurred is
evidence of the matters certified.
51
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
Act No.
44C. Manner of making orders
(1) An order under this Part--
(a) may be made in writing addressed to
the person or persons intended to be
5 bound by it, and served on that person
or each of those persons, as the case
requires; or
(b) may be addressed to several persons, to
a class of persons, or to all persons.
10 (2) Notice of an order addressed as referred to in
sub-section (1)(b) setting out the terms of the
order and the persons to be bound by the
order must, as soon as practicable after the
order is made, be published in a newspaper
15 that, in the opinion of the Secretary, will be
most likely to bring the order to the attention
of the persons bound by it.
(3) An order under this Part, when it takes
effect, is binding on the person or persons to
20 whom it is addressed and on all the persons
of any class to which it is addressed.
(4) An order that is served on a person takes
effect when it is served.
(5) An order, notice of which is published under
25 sub-section (2), takes effect at the beginning
of the first day on which the notice was
published.
(6) A order ceases to have effect at the
expiration of 90 days after the day on which
30 it takes effect unless it is sooner revoked.
(7) Sub-section (6) does not prevent a further
order being made in the same terms as an
order that has expired.
52
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
Act No.
44D. Compensation
(1) A person bound by an order under this Part
who suffers loss as a result of the making of
the order may apply to the Secretary for
5 compensation if the person considers that
there were insufficient grounds for the
making of the order.
(2) If there were insufficient grounds for the
making of the order, the Secretary is to pay
10 just and reasonable compensation to the
applicant.
(3) The Secretary is to send written notification
of the Secretary's determination as to the
payment of compensation under this section
15 to each applicant for the payment of
compensation.
(4) If the Secretary has not determined an
application for compensation under this
section within 28 days of receiving the
20 application, the Secretary is taken to have
refused to pay any compensation.
(5) An applicant for the payment of
compensation under this section who is
dissatisfied with a determination by the
25 Secretary as to the refusal to pay
compensation or as to the amount of
compensation may apply to the Magistrates'
Court for a review of the determination--
(a) within 28 days after the day on which
30 notification of the determination was
received; or
(b) in a case to which sub-section (4)
applies, within 28 days after the 28-day
period referred to in that sub-section.
53
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 27
28
Act No.
(6) If the amount of compensation sought
exceeds the jurisdictional limit of the
Magistrates' Court, the application under
sub-section (5) is to be made to the Supreme
5 Court.
44E. Failure to comply with emergency order
A person must not, without reasonable
excuse--
(a) carry on an activity in contravention of
10 any prohibition imposed on the person
by an order under this Part; or
(b) neglect or refuse to comply with a
direction given by such an order; or
(c) fail to comply with a condition
15 specified in such an order.
Penalty: $40 000 in the case of an
individual or $200 000 in the case
of a corporation.
44F. Person has no right to be heard before
20 order made
In making an order under this Part, it is not
necessary for the Secretary to give any
person who may be affected by the order a
chance to be heard before the order is made.
25 44G. Secretary may obtain enforcement order
The Secretary may apply to the Supreme
Court for an order against any person who is
required to comply with an order made under
this Part requiring the person to comply with
30 the order.".
28. Insertion of section 50A
54
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Act No.
After section 50 of the Food Act 1984 insert--
"50A. Alternative verdicts for serious food
offences
(1) If, on the trial of a person charged with an
5 offence against section 8 or 8A the trier of
fact is not satisfied that the person
committed the offence but is satisfied that
the person committed an offence against
section 11(1), the trier of fact may find the
10 person not guilty of the offence charged but
guilty of an offence against section 11(1),
and the person is liable to punishment
accordingly.
(2) If, on the trial of a person charged with an
15 offence against section 9 or 9A, the trier of
fact is not satisfied that the person
committed the offence but is satisfied that
the person committed an offence against
section 11(2), the trier of fact may find the
20 person not guilty of the offence charged but
guilty of an offence against section 11(2),
and the person is liable to punishment
accordingly.".
29. Insertion of sections 52A and 52B
25 After section 52 of the Food Act 1984 insert--
"52A. Offences by employers
(1) If an employee contravenes any provision of
this Act or the regulations, the employer is
taken to have contravened the same
30 provision.
(2) It is a defence in proceedings against an
employer for such a contravention if it is
established that the employer could not, by
the exercise of due diligence, have prevented
35 the contravention.
55
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 30
Act No.
(3) An employer may be proceeded against and
convicted under a provision under this
section whether or not the employee has
been proceeded against or been convicted
5 under that provision.
52B. Liability of employees and agents
(1) Except as provided by sub-section (2), it is
no defence in proceedings for an offence
under this Act that the defendant was, at the
10 time of the commission of the offence, an
employee or agent of another person.
(2) In any proceedings for an offence under this
Act, it is a defence for the defendant to prove
that the defendant was under the personal
15 supervision of the proprietor of the food
business, or the owner or person in charge of
the place or vehicle, in relation to which the
offence was committed or of another person
representing that proprietor, owner or person
20 in charge.".
30. Insertion of sections 53A and 53B
After section 53 of the Food Act 1984 insert--
'53A. Court may order costs and expenses
Without affecting any other power of a court
25 to award costs, a court that hears proceedings
for an offence under this Act has power to
make such order as it thinks fit in respect of
the costs and expenses of and incidental to
the examination, seizure, detention, storage,
30 analysis (including further analysis),
destruction or other disposition of any thing
the subject of those proceedings.
56
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 31
Act No.
53B. Court may order corrective advertising
A court by which a person (in this section
referred to as "the defendant") is found
guilty of an offence under Part 2, may make
5 one or both of the following orders--
(a) an order requiring the defendant to
disclose in a particular manner to the
public, to a particular person or to a
particular class of person information
10 specified in the order, or information of
a kind specified in the order, which the
defendant possesses or to which the
defendant has access;
(b) an order requiring the defendant to
15 publish, at his or her own expense, in a
manner and at times specified in the
order, advertisements the terms of
which are specified in the order.'.
31. Substitution of section 56
20 For section 56 of the Food Act 1984 substitute--
"56. Protection against liability
(1) This section applies to authorized officers
(other than the Secretary) and employees of
councils.
25 (2) A person to whom this section applies is not
personally liable for anything done or
omitted to be done in good faith--
(a) in the exercise of a power or the
discharge of a duty under this Act; or
30 (b) in the reasonable belief that the act or
omission was in the exercise of a power
or the discharge of a duty under this
Act.
57
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 32
Act No.
(3) Any liability resulting from an act or
omission that would but for sub-section (2)
attach to a person to whom this section
applies attaches instead--
5 (a) in the case of an authorized officer who
is not an employee of a council, to the
Secretary; and
(b) in the case of an employee of a council,
to the council.".
10 32. Consequential amendments to regulation-making
powers
In section 63(1) of the Food Act 1984--
(a) in paragraph (d), for "appliances" substitute
"equipment";
15 (b) in paragraphs (h)(i), (h)(iii), (h)(iv), (h)(v),
(h)(ix), (h)(x) and (h)(xi), for "appliances"
(wherever occurring) substitute
"equipment";
(c) in paragraph (h)(vi)--
20 (i) omit "or a food vehicle";
(ii) omit "or that vehicle";
(d) in paragraph (l), for "adulterated" substitute
"unsafe, unsuitable";
(e) in paragraph (p), for "appliances" substitute
25 "equipment";
(f) in paragraph (s), for ", food vehicle or
appliance" substitute "or equipment";
(g) in paragraph (w), for "appliances" (wherever
occurring) substitute "equipment".
58
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 33
Act No.
33. Insertion of Part XII
After section 63B of the Food Act 1984 insert--
"PART XII--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
63C. Existing orders to continue
5 An order made under section 44 or 44A that
was in force immediately before the
commencement of section 27 of the Food
(Amendment) Act 2001 continues to have
effect as if it had been made under Part VII
10 as in force after that commencement until it
is revoked.
63D. Extended application of Division 3 of
Part IIIA
(1) The proprietor of a food premises to which
15 this section applies may elect to have
Division 3 of Part IIIB apply to the premises
rather than Division 3A of that Part.
(2) This section applies to any food premises--
(a) that is of a class declared by the
20 Secretary, by notice published in the
Government Gazette, to be a class of
premises to which this section applies;
and
(b) in respect of which the registration
25 authority had, before 1 January 2002,
satisfied itself that the food safety
program was adequate.
(3) An election under sub-section (1)--
(a) must be made by written notice; and
30 (b) must be given to the registration
authority before 1 January 2002.
59
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
s. 34
Act No.
(4) A notice of election made in accordance with
this section is to be given effect according to
its tenor, regardless of anything to the
contrary in Part IIIB.
5 (5) The proprietor of a premises may, by written
notice given to the registration authority,
withdraw an election at any time, but
Division 3 of Part IIIB will continue to apply
to the premises until the registration of the
10 premises is next renewed or transferred,
whichever occurs first.
(6) An election under this section ceases to have
any effect on 1 January 2004.
(7) Despite sub-section (6), Division 3 of
15 Part IIIB continues to apply to a premises in
respect of which an election under this
section was in effect on 1 January 2004 until
the registration of the premises is next
renewed or transferred, whichever occurs
20 first.".
34. Amendments to the Magistrates' Court Act
In the Magistrates' Court Act 1989, in
Schedule 4, after clause 63 insert--
"64. Food Act 1984
25 Indictable offences under the Food Act 1984, but the
maximum fine that the court may impose in respect of
a single offence is--
(a) in the case of a corporation, 2000 penalty units;
(b) in any other case, 600 penalty units.".
30
60
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
Food (Amendment) Act 2001
Endnotes
Act No.
ENDNOTES
By Authority. Government Printer for State of Victoria.
61
541156B.I1-6/4/2001 BILL LA CIRCULATION 6/4/2001
[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]