Food Safety - Introduction
The safe consumption of food is essential to us for our physical well-being.
Food borne illness can occur in various situations - at home, work, school, dining out, camping or at the family barbecue if food is not handled correctly.
While the number of cases of food borne illness across Australia each year, and the financial implications for the broader community and the health care system is arguable, the typical causes are generally well understood and in most instances the personal inconvenience and illness are preventable.
Observing good management practices in handling food in all situations will minimise the likelihood of cases of food borne illness, which can result in some or all of the following; nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, etc., which may last for some days and can lead to hospitalisation in some cases.
Blue Mountains City Council employs staff who specialize in environmental health activities to carry out a broad range of inspections from an educational and enforcement perspective.
The primary aim of these inspections is to ensure that food sold is safe to consume.
Council's role in food surveillance continues to be an evolving one in order to meet the challenges of community expectation, improving community health, changing technology, new National Food Safety Standards and a diverse range of food businesses in a vibrant community with high tourism appeal and the implications associated therewith if good practices are not observed and a major food illness occurs.