Kernow has developed and implemented comprehensive Food Safety Strategies for a variety of Council’s and Private organisations. All strategies developed are in line with the Victorian Government’s Food Safety Strategy “A Fresh Approach”, and ensures that all premises are able to meet their food safety obligations. This strategy takes a co-operative approach towards food safety by providing expert advice and information to food proprietors while also undertaking enforcement action to prevent food safety risks to Council residents and business customers. Food Safety Strategies are designed to cover all aspects of food safety including:
Any strategy is regularly updated to ensure that food premises are able to meet all of their requirements under the Food Act 1984.
Kernow can develop comprehensive Food Safety Program assessment procedures to ensure food premises comply with all Food Act requirements in a consistent manner. This procedure covers all food safety legislation that must be enforced at food premises. Kernow undertakes comprehensive blitzes of retail food premises with a particular focus on those that are high risk to ensure that foods are being kept at safe temperatures. We respond quickly to reports of systematic non compliance. Audit and Survey - Kernow conducts random audits to determine if food premise operators understand their obligations to comply with the Food Act 1984. Breaches of Food Safety - In serious cases or when all other avenues of resolving an unsatisfactory food premises are exhausted, Kernow staff will undertake legal proceedings with the approval of the governing body. Information and Assistance for Food Proprietors
Assessment of Proposed Food Premises Kernow staff have been fully trained to assess plans for proposed food premises in accordance with the ANZFA National Food Hygiene Standards and any relevant Council/Private Business Food Premises Specifications. Our staff often conduct on-site visits to proposed food premises to advise designers and proprietors of the structural requirements during the early stages of construction.
Sampling and Analysis Food Recall and Seizures Food Sampling - During investigations of food complaints at food premises, our staff can recommend steps to prevent further complaints and also significantly improve food safety. Food Recalls - Kernow responds to all Food or Product Recalls in accordance with the Department of Human Services and/or ANZFA direction. Food Seizures - Kernow will ensure that unsafe or unsuitable food for sale will be seized and detained if on reasonable grounds we believe that any provision of the Food Act 1984 has been breached. |
Transmission of common pathogens can be sometimes difficult to source with person to person contact, contaminated environmental surfaces, fomites, food and water being some of routes of transmission. Investigations of cases and outbreaks of infectious disease enable the early detection of problems and initiation of action to prevent the spread of further illness. Testing and Inspection of Public Swimming Pools and Spa Baths It is an important part of the control of infectious diseases to ensure that public swimming pools are maintained safely and kept free from infectious diseases such as pseudomonas and cryptosporidium. Under Part 6 Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009, the owners of public swimming pools and spa baths must maintain pools and spas in accordance with the Water Purification Standards for Public Swimming Pools released by Department of Health. Kernow will ensure public pool facilities are cleaned and disinfected correctly and kept free from infectious diseases.
Nuisance and other complaints as guided by the provisions of the EPA, Health or Local Government Acts continue to be a significant factor in operational workloads for Council’s and is growing annually. Complaints regarding noise, smoke (wood fires), dust, odours, wastewater (septic tanks) and vermin are commonly handled by Kernow with a high level of competence.
Each year, the State Government introduces new amendments to the Tobacco Act 1987 and governance of these changes including the banning of smoking in work places and underage dance parties and stricter controls on tobacco advertising and packaging to name a few. Kernow is regularly involved in test purchasing from retailers to evaluate Tobacco Act compliance regarding age-limits.
Under section 263 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Health Act 2008, Council’s are required to complete a Municipal Public Health Plan at 3 year intervals. A Municipal Public Health Plan must “identify and assess the actual and potential public health dangers and outline programs and strategies which the council intends to pursue”. Kernow has a significant amount of experience in policy development and implementation for:
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