Food Handling Controls (Show all)

Food Packaging - Is food packaged in a manner that protects it from contamination, using appropriate material?

Guidance		Standard 3.2.2 cl 9 of the Code requires that when packaging food, a food business must: only use appropriate packaging material; only use material that is not likely to contaminate the food; and address any potential contamination that could occur during packaging. If a food business is unsure whether a packaging material is appropriate for use with food, they must seek advice from the supplier/manufacturer. The food business should establish the following about packaging material: that it is appropriate for contact with food; the types of foods that it can be safely used for (e.g. can it be used for acidic foods?); what it can be used for e.g. dry storage, refrigeration, freezing or microwaving; and whether it is reusable. A packaging material can contaminate food in three ways: by leaching chemical substances into the food; by transferring micro-organisms, dirt or other foreign material that may be contaminating the packaging material itself; or parts of the packaging itself break off into the food e.g. chips of glass. During packaging the food may be exposed to contamination from: the packaging equipment e.g. the equipment may be dirty or a part of the equipment such as machinery oil or grease may contaminate the food; foreign matter such as dirt, dust, insects, glass, metal and plastic; and direct or indirect food handler contact with the food e.g. jewellery falling into the food.
Non-compliance	Minor	Packaging used for food is not suitable for the storage conditions in which the food is likely to endure. E.g. the packaging may become brittle and damaged when frozen.
	Major	Food is packaged using a material that will likely cause the food to become contaminated or tainted. E.g. tin used for canned tomatoes is not appropriate for the acidic nature of the food. Food packaging material in direct contact with food is not suitable or food grade. E.g. plastic grocery or clothing bags used to package raw meats. Food packaging is not suitable for its purpose. E.g. single use ice cream containers reused to serve takeaway foods. Food packaging material is stored in an unclean environment or in an area likely to lead to contamination of the materials. E.g. packing is stored in an area exposed to rodents or dirt.
	Critical	N/A