Food premises and safety

Food premises and safety
Business woman standing
Food can be potentially very dangerous if it's not handled and prepared correctly. Food premises safety canterbury bankstown Food can be potentially very dangerous if it's not handled and prepared correctly.  
Business woman standing


 ​There are approximately 1,500 food businesses operating within the City of Canterbury Bankstown. Types of food businesses include:

  • Cafes and restaurants
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Delicatessens
  • Takeaway outlets
  • Mobile food vendors
  • Temporary food stalls
  • Home-based food businesses
  • Child care centres and school canteens

Council's Environmental Health Officers undertake inspections of all food premises to ensure compliance with food safety requirements and to minimise the likelihood of foodborne illness within the community.

All food premises must be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the following requirements:

Council conducts a minimum of one inspection per annum of all food premises operating within the LGA to ensure compliance with food safety requirements. A fee is charged for this inspection in accordance with Council's fees and charges schedule.  For more information regarding the mentioned fee, visit our Fees and Charges webpage.

Whilst carrying out inspections, Council's Environmental Health Officers focus on a wide range of issues including:

  • Cleanliness of the premises
  • Temperature control
  • Hygiene and food handling practices
  • Pest control
  • Construction and maintenance of the premises

Council has an educational and regulatory role in enforcing food safety legislation. Council's Environmental Health Officers have a number of options when dealing with breaches of food safety legislation including verbal warnings, closure of the business, issuing penalty infringements (on-the-spot fines) or legal proceedings. The Name and Shame register published by the NSW Food Authority details all penalty infringements and legal proceedings that have been issued by councils.

Register your Business  

All food businesses operating within the City of Canterbury Bankstown must register their details with Council. To register a new food business or to notify of any changes, please complete a registration form and return to Council.

Scores on Doors

The City of Canterbury Bankstown participates in the hygiene and food safety program, Scores on Doors. Scores on Doors enables consumers to make an informed choice about where to dine in Canterbury-Bankstown. ​

During routine food inspections, Council's Environmental Health Officers assess food businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bakeries and takeaways against a food safety checklist and assign a star rating reflecting their performance. Businesses achieving a five star (Excellent), four star (Very good) or three star (Good) hygiene and food safety rating are awarded a certificate that should be displayed in a prominent position, usually the front window or door. ​

Scores on Schools

Council recognises the unique food safety challenges that food handlers in child care centres and school canteens experience and would like to recognise the efforts of those that comply with food safety requirements. Scores on Schools is a food safety education campaign for child care centres and school canteens operating in our City . 

During Council’s routine food premises inspection, an Environmental Health Officer will focus on a range of food safety issues that are unique to child care centres and school canteens; in particular, allergen management. After the inspection, child care centres and canteens that comply with food safety regulations and demonstrate a thorough understanding of allergen management will be presented with a certificate to display at the entrance of their centre or school.  Participation in the Scores on Schools program will be voluntary however, by participating in the program parents in the community can be assured that your centre or school demonstrates an excellent understanding of food safety allergen awareness. 

For further information about the Scores on Schools program, contact Council’s Environmental Health Team on 9707 9000.

Frequently Asked Questions 

 I'm a new business owner and I have not had an inspection from Council yet.

If you are a new owner of a business, you must ensure you have registered your details with Council. This can be done by completing and returning the following registration form:  Food Premises Regist​ration Form

I need the following documents so I can apply for Uber Eats. Can Council please send me:

  • A certificate of business notification

No - Council does not have a 'certificate of business notification', as this is no longer required by the NSW Food Authority.  If you have been inspected by Council, the paperwork we provide you ie an inspection report, demonstrates that your business is registered with Council.

  • ​Health Inspection Certificate (eg Scores on Doors)

Council issues 'Scores of Doors' certificates based on the performance of a food business during their health inspection. Those being:

- If the business is fully compliant, or only has minor breaches, you will receive a certificate.

- If the business has a number of breaches, or critical food safety issues, the business will not receive a certificate.​

* Please note: Scores on Doors certificates are only issued for the 'primary inspection', ie the first unannounced inspection. If Council is required to reinspect your business due to breaches of the food legislation, a certificate will not be issued following this reinspection.

  • Health Inspection Report/Assessment

Yes – Council provides a health inspection report following our inspection of your business. If you have lost your original, you may contact council@cbcity.nsw.gov.au to request a copy. You must provide the following details with your request, or your request will not be processed: Your Name (& company name, if applicable), ABN, Shop Name, Business Address​ andContact Phone Number.

Further I​nformation

The NSW Food Authority has developed a range of food safety re​sources to assist in educating food businesses and consumers.

To further assist food businesses in complying with food safety requirements, Council's Environmental Health Officers conduct free food handling training in various languages. 

Contact 

For more information, contact Council's Environmental Health Unit on ​9707 9000