Overview
The Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR) met virtually on 18 and 19 May 2026.
The ISFR aims to ensure food regulation is consistently implemented, monitored and enforced. ISFR members:
- are heads of agencies or senior operational experts
- can make and implement decisions about compliance and enforcement issues in their jurisdictions.
Key discussions
The key discussions were about:
- Safe and suitable food – Preventing foodborne illness
- Implementation of Primary Production and Processing Food Standards
- New guidance development
Safe and suitable food – Preventing foodborne illness
- Food Ministers have agreed that food safety initiatives remain a core objective of the agreed four Strategic Outcomes for the Joint Food Regulatory System (System) (safe and suitable food; healthy food supply; informed and empowered consumers; and a thriving food economies).
- Further information can be found under the Strategic Plan 2025 – 2028, published on the Food Regulation website.
- Project-level details are available under the System Work Plan.
- An agreed focus area under the ‘safe and suitable food’ strategic outcome includes continuing to pay particular attention to minimising Campylobacter throughout the food chain (from farm to fork), recognised as Australia’s highest (and most costly) bacterial foodborne pathogen. To register for stakeholder engagement regarding the Campylobacter Action Plan, use the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Consultation Hub.
- Another agreed focus area will be the development of a framework to support the System’s data intelligence capability, via a future dedicated Data Governance Framework (incorporating systems surveillance and monitoring activities; data sharing, collation, storage and analysis).
Implementation of Primary Production and Processing Food Standards
- Work continues, within ISFR, to support the implementation of Primary Production and Processing Requirements for Horticulture (Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons) (FSANZ Proposal P1052) and Egg Food Safety and Primary Production Requirements (FSANZ Proposal P1060).
New guidance development
- New guidance materials now cover information on definitions for genetically modified food and novel DNA in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Code). This supports consistent interpretation of those definitions by food developers and regulatory agencies. A guide to definitions for genetically modified food and novel DNA in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
- ISFR members previously (ISFR29) discussed the development of guidance for the alcoholic beverage industry on how to best implement energy labelling on alcoholic beverages. Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages – Guidance for producers, importers, suppliers, distributors and retailers.
- ISFR noted that business advice has been published for Moringa oleifera as a novel food.
Local government reports
The meeting included reports on activities and key matters for local government:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New Zealand
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Australian Capital Territory
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) meet regularly to ensure consistency across food safety inspections and compliance concerns. The meetings also include implementation of standards and alignment with other jurisdictions.
The Health and Community Services Directorate works across government in the System.
New South Wales
The NSW Food Authority partners with local councils and other agencies to monitor food safety across the retail food service sector.
The Food Authority runs regular training for the professional development of authorised officers. Training for the period June 2025 – April 2026 has focussed on:
- food handling practices with a focus on acai and kebabs.
- childcare services survey: obtain contemporary data about the food being handled and compliance with the Code in childcare services.
- workshopping challenging scenarios and difficult questions that can arise during food surveillance activities.
Quarterly Retail Information Sessions (RIS) share knowledge with local food businesses in collaboration with local councils. Over the period June 2025 – April 2026, successful sessions were held with:
- the City of Canterbury Bankstown on 24 June 2025 with 173 registered participants.
- the Council of the Shire of Hornsby on 28 October 2025 with 68 registered participants.
- the Central Coast Council in Gosford on 24 February 2026 with over 100 registered participants.
The next RIS is planned for Albury City Council on 1 July 2026.
NSW continues to explore the creation of a shared food inspection data platform.
Northern Territory
The Environmental Health Leadership Group meets three times a year. This group consists of representatives from the Environmental Health strategy and operations units. The meeting includes discussion on standards implementation and national considerations.
Queensland
The 2024-25 financial year annual reporting of local government activities under the Food Act 2006 is available: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/food-pantry/local-government-food-safety-activities-annual-report.
An interactive dashboard is available which comprises visual representations of the main findings and trends in local government activities, as well as an interactive map that displays the reported data for each local government.
South Australia
SA Health continues to work closely with local government as co-regulators of food businesses in SA. This included:
- beginning consultation with EHOs on an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister for Health and Wellbeing and the Local Government Association (LGA) of South Australia
- facilitating the 2025 SA Health Approved Food Safety Auditors Forum and the Food Business Risk Classification training for EHOs; and
- attending the Environmental Health Managers Forum and Food Special Interest Group hosted by the LGA.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Department of Health and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania continue to work with local government as joint regulators of the System. Recent work with local government includes:
- publishing a bulletin twice a year to share information and regulatory updates with local government EHOs.
- consulting with local government on proposed changes to the approved form used to register food businesses.
- developing a framework to allow local government to employ Food Safety Officers, with authorisation under the Food Act 2003 even if they do not have environmental health qualifications in certain circumstances, to help manage workforce shortages.
Victoria
At commencement of Safe Food Victoria, there will be no changes for food businesses regulated by local council. Local councils will continue to deliver the same regulatory framework under the Food Act 1984.
Oversight for local council responsibilities under the Food Act 1984 will move from the Department of Health to Safe Food Victoria. The Department of Health will continue to provide oversight of all other functions of Authorised Officers, such as those under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
Western Australia
WA Health continues to provide support to our 137 local governments in the areas of food regulation and surveillance:
- funding of lab analytical costs for surveillance, compliance monitoring, outbreak investigation samples.
- routine update/coordination meetings with WA Principal Environmental Health Officers Group, Environmental Health Regional Groups, Local Health Authorities Analytical Committee, WA Local Government Food and Environmental Monitoring & Sampling Group.
The following guides to assist local government authorised officers will be published this this year followed by training webinars:
- Food Safety Management Systems – A Verification Guide for Ready-to-Eat Meat Processing at Retail Premises.
- Food Safety Program Verification Guide.
WA Health is working in collaboration with Environmental Health Association (WA), Edith Cowan University, Curtin University, WA Local Government Association, and LG Professionals to progress the Environmental Health Workforce Project to address workforce shortages and associated issues.
New Zealand
New Zealand Food Safety continues to maintain regulatory systems and provide timely information and advice to its co-regulatory partners (67 Territorial Authorities) on the exercise of powers and operational interpretation of the Food Act 2014.
Key recent engagements with local government include:
- Domestic Food Business Levy: From 1 July 2025, the Levy came into effect, with Territorial Authorities acting as collection agencies.
- Training and Implementation: Territorial Authorities are actively training staff and supporting businesses with the roll-out of the updated Simply Safe & Suitable Template Food Control Plan for food service and retail operators.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
FSANZ reported it continues to support the System priorities through its work on addressing foodborne illness through data collection and analysis, and development of standards and non-regulatory tools.
Work included: P1066 Review of Young Child Formula, P1067 Health Star Rating System, P1056 - Caffeine Review, Antimicrobial Resistance and Branded Food Database.
Next meeting
The ISFR will meet again in September 2026.
Contact
If you have any queries, please contact the Food Regulation Secretariat