An enforcement action where an authorised officer detains or seizes food suspected of being unsafe or unsuitable under a state or territory Food Act.
It is an enforcement action where an authorised officer detains food suspected of being unsafe or unsuitable, directing that it not be moved, used or sold while the matter is investigated.
An authorised officer acting under the relevant state or territory Food Act can embargo or seize food when there are reasonable grounds to believe it breaches the food law.
An embargo directs that food be held in place and not sold or used, while a seizure takes the food into the regulator's control.
Keep the identified food separate, secure and traceable, do not sell, use or move it except as the notice allows, and cooperate with the officer until the embargo is lifted or the food is dealt with.
Common reasons include suspected contamination, an undeclared allergen, temperature abuse or a link to foodborne illness, where removing the food from supply protects public health.