Safe Food Production Queensland, Food Safety Glossary
The Queensland statutory authority that regulates food safety in the meat, dairy, seafood, egg and horticulture industries.
The Queensland statutory authority that regulates food safety in the meat, dairy, seafood, egg and horticulture industries. Safe Food Production Queensland (SFPQ) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating primary production and processing food safety in Queensland. It administers food safety schemes under Queensland legislation for higher-risk primary industries, complementing the national primary production and processing standards in the Food Standards Code. SFPQ's remit covers the meat, dairy, seafood, egg and horticulture (plant produce) sectors. It accredits businesses in these schemes, sets sector-specific requirements, and uses auditing to verify that food safety programs are being followed from the farm or vessel through to processing. General retail food safety in Queensland sits with local councils rather than SFPQ. In practice, a Queensland egg producer, seafood processor, dairy farm or horticulture packer obtains accreditation with SFPQ, implements a food safety program suited to its scheme, and is audited on a risk-based cycle. Businesses check with SFPQ which scheme applies and what records and controls they must keep. SFPQ maintains accreditation registers, provides scheme guidelines, and can take compliance action where standards are not met. Operators use its resources to understand traceability, labelling and handling requirements specific to their industry, and coordinate with SFPQ and other agencies on any food safety incidents. A Queensland egg farm is accredited under the Safe Food Production Queensland egg scheme, stamps its eggs for traceability, follows an audited food safety program, and renews its accreditation on the cycle SFPQ sets.
Frequently asked questions
What industries does Safe Food Production Queensland regulate?
SFPQ regulates food safety in the meat, dairy, seafood, egg and horticulture (plant produce) industries in Queensland through accreditation and auditing.
Does SFPQ inspect restaurants and cafes?
No. General retail food businesses in Queensland are regulated by their local council. SFPQ focuses on primary production and processing schemes.
Do egg producers need SFPQ accreditation?
Yes. Egg producers and graders in Queensland generally must be accredited with SFPQ and operate a food safety program under the egg scheme.
How does SFPQ check compliance?
SFPQ uses risk-based auditing of accredited businesses to confirm their food safety programs are being followed across their sector's supply chain.
How is SFPQ different from FSANZ?
FSANZ writes the national Food Standards Code, while SFPQ is the Queensland regulator that accredits and audits primary production businesses against those and state requirements.
