A written direction from an authorised officer requiring a food business to fix a specified breach by a set date.
A written direction from an authorised officer requiring a food business to fix a specified breach by a set date. An improvement notice is a formal written direction issued by an authorised officer under the state or territory Food Act, requiring a food business to correct a specified breach of food safety law within a stated time. It names the problem, the provision breached and what must be done to comply. It is a corrective tool rather than an immediate shutdown: the business can usually keep trading while it fixes the issue, provided the fault is not so serious that it poses an unacceptable risk. Improvement notices sit between informal advice and stronger measures such as prohibition orders, and failing to comply with one is an offence that can lead to further enforcement. In practice an officer issues an improvement notice when an inspection reveals a breach that must be remedied, such as inadequate cleaning, faulty refrigeration, poor pest control or missing hand-washing facilities. The notice sets a compliance date, after which the officer may re-inspect to confirm the fault has been fixed. A business that receives an improvement notice should act on it promptly, keep evidence of the work done and be ready for a follow-up visit. Ignoring a notice or missing the deadline can result in an infringement notice, prosecution or escalation to a prohibition order if the risk is serious. After finding a broken hand basin and a dirty food preparation area, an officer issues a Brisbane cafe an improvement notice requiring the basin to be repaired and cleaning improved within seven days, then returns to confirm the work is done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep trading with an improvement notice?
Usually yes, provided the breach does not pose an unacceptable risk. The notice requires you to fix the problem by a set date rather than to stop trading.
What happens if I ignore it?
Failing to comply is an offence and can lead to an infringement notice, prosecution or escalation to a prohibition order.
Who can issue an improvement notice?
An authorised officer, usually an environmental health officer from your council, acting under the relevant state or territory Food Act.
How long do I get to comply?
The notice states a compliance date. The time allowed depends on the nature of the breach and how quickly it can reasonably be fixed.
Will the officer come back?
Commonly yes. Officers often re-inspect after the compliance date to confirm the breach has been corrected.
