Each year in Australia, more than five million people become sick from the food they eat. For this reason, food safety is an issue that is rapidly becoming important to all consumers. All businesses selling food are responsible for ensuring the food sold is safe and suitable for human consumption, presents no public health risk and does not cause food poisoning. Without correct food handling and hygiene, the risk of food poisoning illnesses is greater than ever before. Food law in Victoria is governed by the Victorian Food Act 1984. Council is responsible for monitoring food safety in local food businesses to ensure all food sold is safe to eat. Council is also committed to supporting local food businesses and helping customers in making informed choices about where to shop. Council brings these aims together in its Safe Food Program which includes food safety inspections, a five-star food rating system and publication of its Safe Food Guide.
Council produces a quarterly newsletter for all local food businesses. The newsletter contains information regarding Victorian food laws, new food safety methods and standards being used to improve food handling and hygiene practices, and relevant public health information. The latest copy of Foodline can be found below:
Council's Taste 4 Health nutrition program shows businesses how to imrpove the nutritional vaulue of the food they serve. Taste 4 Health criteria were developed in partnership with dieticians from the International Diabetes Institute, Caulfield Community Health Service and Bentleigh-Bayside Community Health.
Businesses that implement healthy initiatives can achieve a gold, silver or bronze Taste 4 Health award. The more initiatives they implement, the higher their award.
After the success of its Taste 4 Health program, Glen Eira City Council is pleased to announce the introduction of Taste 4 Health Kids. Childhood is an important time to develop patterns for life and prevent weight problems and research has shown that overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. Through the Taste 4 Health Kids program, Glen Eira food businesses are encouraged to implement healthy initiatives in children's menus; reducing fat, salt and refined sugar and increasing dietary fibre in children's menu choices. Food businesses who provide healthy alternatives in children's menus are eligible for a Taste 4 Health Kids award.
In addition to both Taste 4 Health programs, Council also operates the Access 4 All program which recognises five-star food businesses that provide accessibility initiatives for people with special needs, particularly for those in wheels chairs or with prams.