Victoria’s Food Safety Regulatory Framework
Victoria's Food Safety Regulatory Framework is represented at the following levels:
- National
- Victorian
- Local Government
Food system diagram
At a national level:
- The Food Ministers’ Meeting sets policy and receives advice from the Food Regulation Standing Committee.
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) creates standards for consideration.
At a state level, the Victorian food regulatory system implements this policy, including through:
- the Minister for Agriculture, through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, sets policy, provides statewide strategy and policy guidance
- Safe Food Victoria implements policy through licensing and other compliance activities.
- the Minister for Health, through the Department of Health, protects public health in relation to food including through surveillance, public health investigation, and advice from the Chief Health Officer.
- local government, regulate many food businesses.
National regulation
Note: All exporting food businesses must be accredited by the Department of Agriculture.
Food Ministers' Meeting
The Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) is responsible for the development of domestic food regulatory policy and setting of standards. FMM has the ability to adopt, amend or reject standards and to request that these be reviewed.
Membership of FMM comprises:
- the Australian Government
- A lead Minister from Australian states and territories (usually a Health or Agriculture Minister)
- a Minister from New Zealand
- other Ministers where these have been nominated by their jurisdictions.
This ensures a whole-of-food-chain approach to food safety regulation.
For more information go to the Food regulation website.
The lead Minister for Victoria is the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Michaela Settle MP.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is a bi-national Government agency. Its role is to develop and administer the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The Food Standards Code lists requirements for foods such as additives, food safety, labelling and GM foods.
In Australia, FSANZ prepares standards for FMM’s approval. FSANZ also sets residue limits in food for agricultural and veterinary products.
FSANZ develops standards in consultation with other government agencies and stakeholders. Standards are then implemented by the relevant government authority.
Food Regulation Standing Committee
Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) is a sub-committee of FMM. Membership comprises senior officials of relevant departments (usually Agriculture and Health departments).
FRSC coordinates policy advice to FMM. It also advises FMM on the initiation, review and development of FRSC activities.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and the Department of Health represent Victoria on this committee.
Implementation Sub-committee on Food Regulation
Implementation Sub-committee on Food Regulation (ISFR) is a sub-committee of FRSC. Its role is to develop and oversee a consistent approach to the implementation and enforcement of food regulations and standards. This includes domestic producers, export-registered establishments or imported food.
ISFR allows Australian and New Zealand food regulators to discuss common approaches to the implementation of food standards..
Safe Food Victoria represents Victoria on this committee.
Victorian Regulation
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has responsibility for food regulation, including maintenance of the legislative framework. This includes the Safe Food Victoria Act 2026, the Food Act 1984, the Meat Industry Act 1993, the Seafood Safety Act 2003 and the Dairy and Food Innovation Act 2000.
Safe Food Victoria
Safe Food Victoria is the primary regulator for food safety in Victoria. Safe Food Victoria:
- licenses businesses, including for the meat, seafood and dairy sectors.
- provides support to food businesses in incident response and food safety investigations.
- supports local government in the delivery of their regulatory programs.
The Department of Health
The Department of Health protects public health under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. It receives notifications of foodborne illness and food-related anaphylaxis, investigates outbreaks and other public health risks associated with food, and provides public health advice, including through the Chief Health Officer.
Where an investigation identifies an issue with a food business or product, the Department of Health works with Safe Food Victoria or the relevant local council.
The Department of Health also leads the response to food contamination emergencies.
Municipal Association of Victoria
Municipal Association of Victoria is the peak representative body for Victoria's municipal councils. It advocates on behalf of local government and represents Victoria's 79 councils. It is not a regulator.
It works with state and local government so that regulations are practical and efficient for local government to implement.
Local government
Local Government (i.e. Local Councils) regulates all food businesses not licensed by Safe Food Victoria. These business premises are registered under the Food Act.
Local Government also assists Safe Food Victoria with food recalls, food sampling, and response to complaints about food safety.