Bundaberg Region food businesses are being encouraged to take a proactive step towards a safer, healthier community by joining the Think Food Safe initiative.
Developed by Bundaberg Regional Council, Think Food Safe is an inspection rating system aimed at ensuring the highest standards of food safety in our community.
The program helps food businesses achieve excellent food safety practices and allows consumers to eat with confidence if they see the Think Food Safe sticker.
Food businesses involved in the program are encouraged to proactively monitor food safety to uphold the national food safety standards to reduce risks to consumers.
Community Liveability, Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Carmen McEneany said Council’s Health and Regulatory Services department was running a campaign to promote the Think Food Safe program.
“The Think Food Safe campaign aims to increase community awareness and increase the number of businesses joining the program,” she said.
“Council’s Health and Regulatory Services team works with local businesses, helping them to uphold Australian Food Safety Standards and encouraging them to take proactive approaches to food safety.
“Through collaborative efforts, an environment is created where businesses thrive and consumers can dine with peace of mind.
“Food licensing renewals and fees are due at the end of June and Council is encouraging food businesses to enrol in the Think Food Safe program if they haven’t already done so.
“Being part of Think Food Safe is not mandatory, however there are incentives and resources available for businesses that enrol, such as discounts on licensing fees.”
Businesses participating in the program are easily identifiable by the green and orange Think Food Safe sticker displayed at the premises.
If they display the Think Food Safe logo you know that the business is participating in the program, has achieved a good result in it’s food safety inspection, complies with food safety legislation and keeps regular and accurate food safety records.
The Urban Dragonfly espresso bar owner Jeanette Clarke has been part of the Think Food Safe program since taking over the business almost twelve months ago.
“The program has helped us ensure we follow the food safety requirements by doing temperature checks and regular cleaning throughout the day,” she said.
“It’s also helped us identify some weaknesses in our supply chain with delivery temperatures from a new milk supplier.
“We were able to educate them on what our requirements were which helped them to adjust their delivery processes as well.
“Being part of the program is also good for our customers who can see us following the requirements and we’ve actually had many comments on how clean our space is.
“Having a cleaning register has helped and we don’t have to be here all the time but can pass on to our staff that this is what we have to follow.”
Jeanette said she had appreciated the support of Council’s Environmental Health team throughout the process for its excellent response rate to any of her questions or concerns.
She believed the Think Food Safe program was good protection for both the business and consumer and was key for a consistent approach to food hygiene and safety.
To find out how your business can join the Think Food Safe program go to the Bundaberg Regional Council website here.
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