Victorian food businesses research

Page content: Evaluation of business food safety information resources & information needs | Food Safety Practices in Victorian Businesses Research Series | Food Handlers Skills, Knowledge and Training Research Series

Research into the Skills, Knowledge and business practices of Victorian Food Businesses.

In May 2001 the Victorian Food Act 1984 was amended. The amendment introduced:

1. Standard Food Safety Programs and compliance checks as an alternative to independent Food Safety Programs and third party audits for most registered businesses and
2. The requirement for businesses to nominate a Food Safety Supervisor
3. The adoption of national Food Safety Standards which reflect international best practice and
4. The maintenance of requirements for all declared businesses to have a Food Safety Program as a condition of their registration.

The expectation was that these amendments would increase awareness of food safety and consequently reduce the hazardous processes undertaken in food businesses thus protecting public health.

From January 2003 every food business registered with local councils in Victoria (except those exempt) were required to have a Food Safety Program/Plan and a nominated Food Safety Supervisor.

Evaluation of business food safety information resources & information needs

Evaluation conducted by Campbell Research and Consulting for the Department of Human Services Food Safety Unit in 2005, to assess the effectiveness of food safety information resources for food businesses and identify food safety information needs of food businesses.

Evaluation of business food safety information resources and information needs – Summary report, June 2005 (305kb, pdf)

Food Safety Practices in Victorian Businesses Research Series

In 2002 baseline data was collected related to Food Safety Business Practices in order to collect data before the full implementation of the legislative changes.

A subsequent study was undertaken in 2004 and a comparison made to the 2002 data to determine changes in Business Practices related to food safety.

The 2002 and 2004 reports are attached below:

Report on a Survey of Food Safety Practices in Victorian Food Businesses 2002 (146kb, pdf)

Report on a Survey of Food Safety Practices in Victorian Food Businesses September 2004 (552kb, pdf)

In 2006 the Department of Human Services Food Safety Unit is in the process of commissioning a further study to determine Business Practices related to food safety.

Food Handlers Skills, Knowledge and Training Research Series

National Food Handling Benchmark Survey

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand, then Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) commissioned Campbell Research & Consulting to conduct a benchmark study which documents research on the awareness and knowledge of safe food handling practices and actual food handling practices by food businesses within Australia. This was undertaken between February and May 2001.

Victorian studies

The Department of Human Services Food Safety Unit commissioned a Training Baseline Study in 2002 to collect baseline information about skills and knowledge before the full implementation of the legislative changes.

A follow-up study, ‘Food Safety Skills, Knowledge and Training’ was undertaken in 2004.

The 2002 and 2004 reports are attached.

Final Action Report for Food Safety Victoria Training Baseline Study 2002 (260kb, pdf)

Food safety skills, knowledge & training follow-up survey 2004 (for retail and food service businesses) (754kb, pdf)

Food safety skills, knowledge & training follow-up survey 2004 - appendix A - Main survey (274kb, pdf)

Food safety skills, knowledge & training follow-up survey 2004 - appendix B - Adept Research – 2002 Baseline Survey (99kb, pdf)

Food safety skills, knowledge & training follow-up survey 2004 - appendix C - Cross-Tabulated Raw Data (500kb, pdf)

Food safety skills, knowledge & training (for food service businesses) Qualitative Research (349kb, pdf)

The Department of Human Services Food Safety Unit has commissioned a further study to determine Food Handlers skills and knowledge related to food safety and this will be completed in 2006.