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• to provide input to the national food regulatory framework and development of food laws in Australia
• to identfy and manage risks that result in food in Western Australia (WA) being safe and suitable and meeting national food standards

Food complaints

Food for Thought newsletter

Food poisoning

Food recalls

Food Unit notices

Notification of convictions

Legislation

Related websites

The Food Act 2008

• The Food Act 2008 came into operation on 08/07/2008. Sections One and Two of the Act come into effect immediately with the remainder of the Act on a day fixed by Proclamation which is currently being determined

• Planning is underway to ensure its successful implementation of the Act. Accompanying Regulations, Transitional Provisions and comprehensive Guidelines for stakeholders and regulators and being concurrently developed

• Any questions regarding the Food Act 2008 can be emailed to: foodunit@health.wa.gov.au. Your questions will be used to create a FAQ fact sheet

Health Claims Watchdog

• We are a member of the recently established Health Claims Watchdog administered by the Commonwealth, and which coincides with the development of the new Health Claims Standard
  
• We report health claim breaches of the Food Standards Code (FSC) and ongoing investigations to the Watchdog and follow up complaints in accordance with established protocols

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Western Australian Food Monitoring Program (WAFMP)

• We conduct extensive monitoring of the chemical and microbiological quality of food in Western Australia through the administration of the Western Australian Food Monitoring Program (WAFMP)
  
• Following the completion of surveys, we produce the Food Watch publication, and Environmental Health guides and brochures

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Food Recalls

• We liaise with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and coordinate food recalls for follow up action by local authorities in Western Australia
  
• We participate in, and administer, the Western Australian component of the national food recall system. By informing Local Governments on food recalls very quickly, we ensure high or special risk foods are safely and rapidly removed at the retail level

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Enteric Disease Investigation

• We co-ordinate the investigation of food-borne disease outbreaks in the Western Australian community, including monitoring individual cases to identify high risk foods

Monitoring and Surveillance

• We conduct ongoing surveillance programs to minimise the risks posed by imported oysters

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Western Australian Seafood Quality Assurance Program (WASQAP)

• We administer the West Australian Shellfish Monitoring Program as part of an established and formalised partnership with government agencies and the fishing industry

Food Safety Programs

• We monitor and provide education and training to public hospitals to ensure the highest possible standard of food safety for patients, through administration of the Public Hospitals Surveillance Program

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Food Premises on Crown Land

• We monitor the activities of food proprietors and the standard of food handling premises in areas such as Kings Park, where there is no Local Government presence

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Local Government / Enforcement

• We co-ordinating the Food Advisory Committee and Local Health Authorities Analytical Committee to ensure appropriate compositional standards, labelling and safety, and ensure a suitable level of monitoring of food by Local Governments
  
• Local Government Environmental Health Officers enforce the Food Standards Code within each local authority’s administrative area. Local governments respond to consumer complaints, investigating potential breaches of the Food and Hygiene Regulations 1993, and the Food Standard Code

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