Food Info - Inspections

Inspections and complaints

Find out about preparing for inspections, how to make a complaint, and how Council will investigate complaints and take enforcement action.

Inspections and enforcement

Legislation requires Council to monitor the standard of operations in business. They do this through a routine inspection program. The frequency of these inspections will depend on the type of food business and its level of compliance.

The following self-assessment checklists will help you prepare for and inspection:

Under the Food Act 2006 if you are operating a food business you must comply with the Food Safety Standards and any conditions on your licence.

Failure to comply with the Food Safety Standards or any of your licence conditions, may result in one or more of these enforcement actions:

  • a letter being issued requiring action or work to be conducted
  • a legal notice being issued requiring action to be taken or work to be conducted
  • issuing of a Prescribed Infringement Notice (PIN or on-the-spot fine)
  • suspension of a licence
  • cancellation of a licence
  • prosecution.

Food businesses can apply the due diligence defence during enforcement action.

Complaints

Information for businesses

Council has a duty to investigate and respond to complaints received. A complaint may result in an inspection of your premises to ensure you are complying with the legislation.

If a person contacts you to make a complaint about your business, it is a good idea to have complaint management procedures(PDF, 132KB) in place for staff to follow.

Information for customers

To make a complaint about a food business, please call Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Complaints can also be lodged through Queensland Health at Food safety complaint | Queensland Government (health.qld.gov.au)

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