NSW to ‘name and shame’ more food outlets

The NSW government is amending the legislation to allow the NSW Food Authority to publish on its website details of food businesses that receive penalty notices for food law breaches.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the decision was a victory for consumers.

“This is about choice — if there was a serious problem with a venue customers have the right to know,” he said.

The authority already publishes details of food safety convictions on its website, but this latest amendment will see details of those issued with penalty notices added to the list.

Macdonald said food retailers should not fear the new laws.

“Relatively minor offences, like where grout is missing between floor tiles, would not see an outlet named,” he said.

However, the more serious breaches will be publicised to protect consumers.

“The public has a right to know which retailers and food service businesses are being convicted for breaches of the law or are receiving penalty notices for serious matters so they can decide where to eat and where to shop.

“Dodgy food businesses that cut corners with food safety are now on notice: if they do not put food safety first then they could suffer the consequences.”