Food Safety Supervisor

Retail food businesses such as restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, caterers, bakeries are required to have a trained Food Safety Supervisor in their business if food they prepare and serve is ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (i.e. needs temperature control) and NOT sold and served in the supplier’s original package. 

The aim of the food safety supervisor is to prevent individuals from becoming ill from food poisoning as a result of incorrect handling and preparation of food.  An appointed Food Safety Supervisor may be required at times during routine food inspections and must have their FSS certificate on the food premises at all times.

FSS training will only be recognised if it is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation that has been approved by the NSW Food Authority. These organisations are published on the NSW Food Authority’s website.

Food Safety Officer Recertification TrainingFood Safety Supervisor (FSS) certificates expire 5 years from the date of issue.  Any food businesses that have an appointed FSS and their certificate is due to expire will need to enrol them in recertification training with an approved Registered Training Organisation under the FSS program.

Under certain circumstances, the Registered Training Organisation can take into account the applicant’s prior learning, while still providing training in the three key focus areas.

When an FSS holder’s certification expires, a food business has 30 days to ensure:

  1. The FSS renews their training within 30 working days; or
  2. Another FSS with a current qualification is appointed

For further information on Food Safety Supervisors, visit NSW Food Authority – FSS or call the helpline on 1300 552 406, or email at contact@foodauthority.nsw.gov.au.