Local council in Victoria asks online home food seller to register business

Council and state regulations require home food businesses to register with the local authority.

Source: Flicker/J Dimas

The Wyndham City Council in Victoria recently sent a message to a food business that sells food online via Facebook and asked the seller to register with the council.

According to the Wyndham City’s Acting Director of city operations, Richard Maugauret, the council inspects all food premises on an annual basis to ensure they comply with legislative requirements that ensure the health and safety of the consumers.

“We are required to follow up any notifications of unregistered food premises. Sometimes the only contact details Council has access to is a Facebook page and in these instances, we use this as a means of communication.”

“As per state legislation, all food premises must be registered, even those operating from a home. There is a Code in place for all food premises that must be complied with.”

“Council inspects all registered food premises on an annual basis.”

The council states that the premises must be registered under the Food Act 1984 (Victorian State Legislation) and must comply with the aforementioned act, as well as the Food Standards Code Australia and New Zealand (FSCANZ).

Following is the message via Facebook that the council sent to the online home food business:

“Dear Proprietor, I am messaging to advise you that you are currently operating food premises unregistered. You are required to apply for registration with Wyndham Council’s Environmental Health Unit immediately.

You must submit an ‘application to register form’ which can be obtained from the following link

https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/local-laws-permits/laws-permits-businesses/operating-business/food-businesses-and

An initial registration fee of $650 is required to be paid along with your application. Failure to apply for registration carries a fine of $793.

If you have any questions you can contact me at 9742 8197.”

Fruits, vegetables, and seafood on a kitchen table Source: Getty Images

Home food business registration

Following is a quick guide for registration of the home food business at the Wyndham City Council.

• Proposed food premises complies with the requirements of the Food Act and Food Standards Code
• All necessary documents and information has been received by the Environmental Health Unit
• Building and Planning Departments have been contacted to verify permit requirements
• The Application of Registration form is completed and submitted to Wyndham City 
• Relevant Registration fee is paid in full

(The above information is taken from the Wydham City Council website).

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