Directors Are Responsible For Food Safety

If you are a director of a business that manufactures or sells food, you may be personally liable for death or personal injury for the supply of food products. This includes proper food handling or storage, complying with food safety regulations and the regular monitoring of food contamination.

You should be aware of the Australian and NZ Food Standards Code and the legislation your State of Territory that relates to this matter.

The only protection against civil or criminal liability is for directors of charitable or not-for-profit organizations that donate or distribute food to others. There is no protection if you cook or prepare food and sell it to consumers or members, even if you are also a not-for-profit entity, such as a licensed community club.

Apart from the legal liability for the board and management, a food safety incident can result in fines and possible the revocation of your food licence. There will also be media exposure of such incidents and a probable loss of reputation and trade. Directors should ask management for a review of all food safety guidelines, and any training of staff in this matter, and reports of any such incidents of customer complaints about food sickness.