About 800 food businesses across the region will be invited to join the new Eat Safe Ipswich program.
Health, Security and Community Safety Committee Chairperson Cr Sheila Ireland said Council regulates and monitors public health risks with food safety being a key issue for the community and under the Food Act 2006 food businesses are required to comply with licensing and safety standards to ensure hygienic practices are in place.
“Promotion of good standards can have a positive impact for cafes and restaurants. The Eat Safe program is a system where a licenced food business would receive a food star rating based on compliance with the Food Act 2006 and Food Safety Standards,” she said.
Food businesses can obtain ratings from no star (non-compliant performer), two star (poor performer), three star (good performer), four star (very good performer) through to five star (excellent performer).
“The objective of the Eat Safe program is to increase and reward compliance with the Food Act 2006 and Food Safety Standards which will in turn optimise service delivery. It is a voluntary program. If a business calculates a 3 star or above rating they can opt-in to have their results publicly displayed,” Cr Ireland said.
Eat Safe Ipswich will be officially launched in October 2018. Between now and January, Council will engage in training and contact with businesses to explain how the program will be rolled out.
“As at October 2017 there are 749 businesses that will need to be visited and inspected. While the business will be advised of the star rating at time of inspection, the ratings won’t be able to be made public until October 2018,” Cr Ireland said.
“A hands-on approach with businesses will occur over the next year followed by community education to promote the benefits of the program.”
Council has a Memorandum of Agreement with Brisbane City Council to be able to use the Eat Safe program, branding and all associated collateral.
Cr Ireland said about 25 per cent of food businesses – up to 200 across Ipswich – were expected to sign up.