Starting a food business?
In Victoria, food businesses must be registered through their local council and comply with the Food Act 1984 (Vic) (the Act) and the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat.
A food business is defined in the Act as “a business, enterprise or activity (other than a business considered to be primary food production) that involves:
- The handling of food intended for sale; or
- The sale of food, regardless of whether the business enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial, charitable or community nature or whether it involves the handling or sale of food on one occasion only.”
This means any food business started by a person or organisation that prepares, handles, packs or repackages food or drink (including alcohol) to sell.
If you want to start a food business in Wodonga, please contact council’s Business Engagement Officer by filling out an online application form. They are the first point of contact to help you determine any additional requirements for your business from council, i.e. Planning, Building and Environmental Health. Alternatively, you can call council on (02) 6022 9300 and ask to speak with the Business Engagement Officer directly.
Once referred to the Business Engagement Officer, the Environmental Health team will be able to discuss your proposal, classify your food business and explain what your requirements are under that food classification.