Food business inspections

Food business fines

Council officers can take action for breaches of food safety laws. This may happen after a routine inspection of a food business, or from an investigation of a complaint.

Under the Food Act 2003, Council officers can:

  • issue a verbal or written warning
  • issue a Penalty Infringement Notice (fine)
  • institute legal action
  • issue an Improvement Notice that requires work to be done within a given timeframe
  • issue a Prohibition Order requiring the mandatory closure of a business until a further inspection has a satisfactory outcome
  • seize food that is considered unsafe for human consumption.

Food businesses given a Penalty Infringement Notice (fine) may also be listed on the NSW Food Authority Name and Shame register.