Web page helps new food businesses get off the ground

Starting a new food business just got easier with the launch of an interactive web page, ‘Starting a food business’.

“Access to all the information you need is now just a click away and I encourage everyone to use the ‘Starting a food business’ web page as their first port of call when starting out,” said Katrina Hodgkinson, NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Small Business, who launched the web page.

The web page, www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/starting-a-food-business, provides information about what to consider, what you need to know and what to do in terms of food safety, legal, licensing and notification requirements. It is not just for those hoping to start a new business - those looking to diversify an existing food business will also benefit from the web page.

A step-by-step process, where users simply click ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in answer to questions about their proposed venture, helps users determine the nature of the business and the appropriate food-safety requirements.

Also included are links to other resources and departments that fledgling businesses may need to contact or notify as part of the start-up process.

“This is about giving people access to the skills and knowledge they need to establish a safe and compliant food business,” Hodgkinson said.