A food business that has formally told its enforcement agency of its existence and details, as required before trading.
A food business that has formally told its enforcement agency of its existence and details, as required before trading. A notified food business is one that has completed the notification step required under Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code, telling the appropriate enforcement agency who it is, what food it handles and where it operates. Notification puts the business on the regulator's records so it can be inspected and supported. Being a notified business is distinct from being registered or licensed. Notification is simply the act of providing required information, usually the trading name, contact details, location and nature of the food handling. It is generally free or low cost and is the baseline expectation for most food businesses, from cafes to home-based operations, before they start handling food for sale. In practice, a new operator becomes a notified food business by completing their local council's notification form, often online, before opening. Mobile and temporary businesses generally notify a single home council, which can share the details with other councils where the business trades, avoiding repeated notifications. Councils keep a record of notified businesses and use it to plan inspections and communicate alerts and recalls. A business updates its notification when details change, such as new ownership, a change of address or a new food activity. Trading without notifying can be an offence under the relevant state or territory Food Act. Before her first market day, a home baker completes her council's online form and becomes a notified food business, listing her contact details, the products she makes and the markets she plans to attend.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a business a notified food business?
It has provided its details to the relevant enforcement agency, usually the local council, as required by Standard 3.2.2 before handling food for sale.
Is being notified the same as being registered?
No. Notification just records that the business exists and what it does, while registration or licensing is a separate approval to operate that some councils and states also require.
Do home-based and market food businesses need to notify?
Yes. Most food businesses, including home-based and market stalls, must notify their council before trading, generally through a single home council for mobile operators.
Does notification cost anything?
Notification itself is often free or low cost, though any separate registration or approval may attract a fee set by the council or state.
What if my business details change?
You should update your notification with the council when key details change, such as ownership, address or the type of food activity you carry out.
