Food Safety
Town of Gawler is home to approximately 300 food businesses including pubs, cafes, service stations, sporting clubs, grocery shops, not for profit organisations and home-based businesses. The Councils Environmental Health Team is responsible for:
- Conduct routine inspections of food premises
- Provide a food safety program auditing service (Department of Health Approved Auditor)
- Respond to food complaints and food poisoning cases
- Provide education and guidance in food safety & food auditing
- Assist the Department of Health with food recalls.
- Education of Food handlers.
The cost of a food inspections is dependent on the reason for inspection and the size of the business. Follow up inspections may also be charged where there is noted non-compliances.
If you are considering starting up a food business Council recommend contacting the Environmental Health Officer for advice to ensure that the requirements of the Food Standards Code are met.
It is a requirement that all food businesses notify Council of their existence by completing a Food Business Notification form which can be completed online here Food Business Notification Form | Town of Gawler Council. Or if you prefer to download the form in hard copy, it can be downloaded here.
Once the notification form has been completed, Council officers will contact you to arrange an inspection prior to commencement of selling food.
Food Safety Rating Scheme for Consumers
Look out for the star rating at the places you eat.
The Food Safety Rating Scheme gives you information about how well food businesses comply with food safety standards. The more stars awarded means a higher standard of food safety.
During routine inspections of food businesses, Council Environmental Health Officers calculate a score based on how well the food business meets food safety standards. This score is interpreted into a star rating:
Businesses that score 3, 4 or 5 stars receive a certificate to display proudly to let you know food safety standards have been met. If a score of less than 3 stars is calculated, a certificate will not be awarded and Environmental Health Officers will work with the business to improve compliance.
Look out for the star rating certificate at the places you eat. Certificates can be seen at eateries across South Australia, but participation in the scheme is voluntary for local councils. A business also has the choice on whether or not to display a certificate, so just because a food business does not have a certificate does not mean it is unsafe.
Read Why a business does not have a certificate for more information.
The Food Safety Rating Scheme helps you to make informed choices about where you eat. Businesses that underperform receive education and support to improve food safety compliance.
Read the Food Safety Rating Scheme Fact Sheet for more information.
Food businesses can learn more about the scheme at Food Safety Rating Scheme - businesses.
Food Safety Training
'Do Food Safely' is a free online food safety training that is recommended for food handlers and food business proprietors. This training course will assist you and your staff to develop the skills and knowledge required to ensure safe food for your customers and to comply with your obligations under the Food Safety Standards. Most sections include an interactive quiz and upon completion of the training a certificate of completion can be printed and filed as part of your food safety records.
Home - DoFoodSafely - supported by SA Health.
Standard 3.2.2A is a new national Food Safety Standard that came into force in December 2023. It requires category 1 and category 2 businesses that handle food to appoint a qualified food safety supervisor. The food safety supervisor must have been certified within the last 5 years and is responsible for overseeing day-day food handling operations, helping food handlers to handle food safely and making sure food safety risks are managed. Training must be completed through a Registered Training Organisation, more information can be found on the SA Health Website here: