Improvement notice — Food Safety Glossary

A written direction from an authorised officer requiring a food business to fix a specified breach by a set date.

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.

Inspection Prohibition order Infringement notice (penalty notice) Environmental Health Officer (EHO) Corrective action Food safety glossary Food safety guides
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