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Food Act Report 2009/2010 - SA Health - SA.Gov.au

Food Act Report 2009/2010 - SA Health - SA.Gov.au

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Administration of the <strong>Food</strong> <strong>Act</strong> 2001 in South AustraliaIn South Australia, the <strong>Food</strong> <strong>Act</strong> 2001 and the Australia New Zealand <strong>Food</strong> Standards Code are administered jointlyby the Department of <strong>Health</strong> and local government.Responsibilities of <strong>SA</strong> <strong>Health</strong>The department is responsible for the following:• Oversight of administration of the <strong>Act</strong>• Monitoring compliance with labelling, composition, microbiological and chemical requirements of the Codethroughout <strong>SA</strong>• The safety and suitability of food sold, and monitoring and enforcement of compliance with <strong>Food</strong> Safety Standardsin unincorporated areas of the State (85% of the geographical area of <strong>SA</strong>)• Monitoring food safety related incidents and initiating appropriate responses• Providing advice to local governments dealing with minor food borne disease outbreaks in their areas and leadinginvestigations and remediation of more significant outbreaks• The exercise of emergency powers to remove, prevent or reduce the possibility of a serious health risk includinginitiation and coordination of food recalls• Providing advice, support and assistance to local government• Providing advice to food businesses and the public on food issues• Advising the Minister on issues pertaining to the application of the <strong>Act</strong> and food issues generally.<strong>SA</strong> <strong>Health</strong>’s responsibilities are delivered by:<strong>Food</strong> Policy and Programs BranchThe branch is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the <strong>Food</strong> <strong>Act</strong>, as described above (except for the role ofthe Regional Services Section as described below). More specifically, the branch prepares advice to senior departmentstaff and the Minister for <strong>Health</strong> on food issues, development of legislation and proposed amendments to the Code.The branch monitors compliance with the Code and the results of surveys undertaken for this purpose are publishedon its website.The branch conducts environmental investigations of major food poisoning outbreaks. This involves an immediateresponse to stop the supply of suspected food, the collection of food and environmental samples, analysis of foodhandling procedures to determine the c<strong>au</strong>se of an outbreak and follow-up enforcement actions.The branch also participates in the development of state and national food regulatory policy and contributes tonational programs which facilitate a consistent approach across jurisdictions to the implementation and enforcementof food regulations and standards. The branch also provides advice on significant issues and assistance to the foodindustry in the implementation of significant new legislation.Communicable Diseases Control BranchUnder the Public and Environmental <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Act</strong> 1987 laboratories and medical officers are required to notifyoccurrences of food borne disease to the department’s Communicable Diseases Control Branch (CDCB). Monitoringand analysis of these reports by CDCB provides an alert for food borne disease outbreaks in the community. CDCBalso conduct follow-up interviews with affected persons, including an assessment of foods eaten during the daysprior to the onset of the illness, to trace potential c<strong>au</strong>ses of a food borne disease outbreak. The application ofstatistical tools can assist in identifying the likely food or business responsible for the outbreak.page 13<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Act</strong> <strong>Report</strong> Year ending 30 June <strong>2010</strong>

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