Elements and Performance Criteria
- Evaluate organisation requirements for the food safety program.
- Evaluate the characteristics of the organisation.
- Examine all food handling operations and processes and identify potential or existing food hazards.
- Identify all critical control points in the food preparation system where food hazards can be controlled.
- Identify product suppliers and determine the quality assurance specifications that relate to foodstuffs supplied.
- Evaluate existing product specifications covering all food items prepared and sold.
- Evaluate existing policies, procedures and monitoring practices, including record keeping, and assess the need for change.
- Develop a food safety program to control hazards.
- Design a food safety program to suit the characteristics and needs of the organisation, in consultation with appropriate colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ensure that the food safety program complies with regulatory requirements and standards.
- Develop food production flow charts to document the critical control points for the ongoing control of food hazards.
- Establish and document methods of food hazard control for each critical point.
- Develop food safety policies and procedures for food hazard control.
- Develop procedures for the systematic monitoring of controls and establish a recording system to document the monitoring.
- Develop procedures for implementing corrective actions when hazards are found not to be under control.
- Develop or modify and record product specifications covering all food items prepared and sold.
- Identify training needs and develop a training plan or program based on needs.
- Develop a schedule for regular review of the food safety program.
- Set out the food safety program, including all policies and procedures, in a clearly articulated written document and provide to regulatory authorities as required.
- Implement the food safety program.
- Communicate food safety programs, policies, procedures and product specifications to colleagues in the workplace and ensure display of appropriate signage and access to information.
- Organise appropriate training and mentoring related to the food safety program.
- Monitor operational activities to ensure that policies and procedures for hazard control, monitoring and documentation are consistently followed by all employees.
- Manage the response to incidents where food hazards are found not to be under control and oversee the implementation of corrective action procedures.
- Make swift amendments to any practices that led to the food safety breach, and document, communicate and implement changes.
- Maintain all documents that relate to the management of the food safety program, monitor performance and adjust the program accordingly.
- Participate in food safety audit.
- Ensure that the food safety program is audited by a food safety auditor or compliance inspector at the auditing frequency applicable to the business and according to legislative requirements.
- Participate in any inspections of the premises or documents that relate to food safety management and provide assistance to the food auditor or compliance inspector.
- Retain all records of food audits according to legislative requirements.
- Evaluate and revise the food safety program.
- Conduct a regularly scheduled review of the food safety program in consultation with colleagues to ensure its adequacy.
- Carry out tests and measures to validate required food safety controls.
- Review policies, procedures, product specifications, monitoring systems and all record keeping methods, identify required changes and incorporate amendments.
- Prepare an updated food safety program, including all current policies, procedures, product specifications and monitoring documents, in a clearly articulated written document and provide to regulatory authorities as required.
- Communicate changes to the food safety program to all employees and ensure that they are incorporated into the production system as scheduled.
- Identify the need for additional training based on changes to food safety practices.