Background

Councils play a key role in food regulation in South Australia and the South Australian Food Act 2001 is the principal legislation for managing food safety in the state.

The objectives of the Act, set out in Section 3, are:

• To ensure food for sale is both safe and suitable for human consumption
• To prevent misleading conduct in connection with the sale of food
• To provide for the application in this jurisdiction of the Food Standards Code.

Section 96 of the Act calls for agreement and consultation with local government sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

A Memorandum of Understanding was first developed in 2003 and has provided a solid foundation for clarifying agency responsibilities for food regulation and enforcement, and the development of policies and guidelines.

The MOU came from state and local government’s commitment to manage food safety. It serves as a guide to fulfil both their regulatory obligations and their obligations to the community, food business, and national agreements. Its purpose is to:

• establish a foundation for a working relationship
• set out principles, essential roles, and responsibilities
• define agency obligations in terms of governance, performance expectations, and reporting arrangements.

The Food Act MOU was last reviewed in 2015 and now should to be updated to reflect current needs and information.

Your feedback is required

This survey is to get your feedback on what should be included in the revised MoU.

This survey has been prepared by LGA with input from the Food Act Working Group – comprising staff from the LGA (as an observer), the Department of Health and Wellbeing, and the Cities of Onkaparinga, Renmark Paringa, Salisbury, Playford and Goyder, Tea Tree Gully, and Mitcham.

Please complete the survey here.

It is suggested that you open the MOU whilst completing the survey.

The survey must close Monday 28 November 2022. Responses will be taken to the Food Act Working Group where they will inform the development of the MOU.

The Working Group would also value to comments and feedback on the current suite of resources.

Please review those resources and provide feedback to belinda.tassone@lga.sa.gov.au.