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Food business risk classification
Food business risk classification
The Western Australian (WA) Food Business Risk Classification System provides guidance to WA local government Food Act 2008 (Food Act) enforcement agencies on determining appropriate frequencies for food regulatory compliance assessments.
The WA Food Business Risk Classification System is based on certain risk factors that determines the risk classification of food businesses and an appropriate assessment frequency. Its use by Food Act enforcement agencies will support a consistent approach to determining the frequency of food business monitoring activities in WA.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Priority Classification System for Food Businesses has been adapted for use as the WA food business risk classification system.
An electronic (Excel) risk classification calculator is provided to assist enforcement agencies to calculate the risk ratings of food businesses.
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Use and limitations
The WA Food Business Risk Classification System is intended only to guide the allocation of risk ratings to food businesses for the purpose of determining the frequency of food regulatory monitoring activities.
Food business risk classification should be carried out during food business Food Act notification/registration or following notification of changes to a food business’ activities.
Risk classification should not be confused with:
- Food safety risk assessment: which is the process of identifying, analysing and characterising food related health risks (for example risk assessing a food commodity or manufacturing process).
- The priority classification system under Part 8 – Auditing of the Food Act. This is a Food Act requirement for regulatory food safety auditing that applies only to certain food businesses that must implement a food safety program.
- Regulatory compliance requirements: there are no provisions in the food safety legislation to use food business risk classifications (as outlined in this document) to determine compliance requirements or assess compliance.
Last reviewed: 16-07-2024