Thinking about starting up a food business?

If you want to start up a business that sells food, there are a number of factors to consider.

Have you, for example, organised a food safety program?

This is basically a document that outlines "how your business will ensure the food you sell is safe for human consumption", states the Department of Health.

Your food safety program should contain detailed information about how you intend to manage, process and sell food that could potentially harm someone if not handled using best practices.

It's a requirement for Class 1 and Class 2 businesses to not only arrange a food safety program, but also keep a copy of it on their premises at all times. Class 1 businesses include hospitals, child care centres and aged care facilities, while Class 2 businesses represent everything from restaurants and pubs to supermarkets and caterers.

In addition to this, all Class 1 and Class 2 businesses must have a qualified food safety supervisor on staff. This is someone with the "expertise and authority" to make sure all food-handling staff are sufficiently trained to manage and process food safely, as well as comply with the food safety program you've put in place.

Finally, it's a good idea to arrange business liability insurance, so that you're covered if and when a customer falls ill as a result of eating your food. Even if you have a food safety program and your food-handling staff are properly supervised, accidents can happen - so it's important that you're prepared for them.

Elders Insurance offers a wide range of business insurance that could prove extremely beneficial to your business. Whether you want to arrange business interruption, property or even vehicle insurance, we have agents located all over Australia that are ready and willing to help you out.

So, get in touch with us today!