Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to Elders of all First Nations communities that visit MCEC.

Food Safety Policy

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The Food Safety Policy defines Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust’s (MCET) objectives and demonstrates our commitment to our food safety management system and culture.

Our policy

  • Purpose

    The Food Safety Policy defines Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust’s (MCET) objectives and demonstrates our commitment to our food safety management system and culture.

    Application

    This policy applies to all MCET employees and third-party contractors involved in the supply and management of consumable items.

  • Food safety culture is about attitudes, behaviours and the priority given to food safety in an organisation. In a food business, it is how everyone (managers, employees) thinks and acts in their daily job to make sure the food they make or serve is safe.

    In a strong food safety culture, people take responsibility, pride and care in producing safe food. They understand the importance of making safe food and the consequences of things going wrong. People have the right knowledge and skills and a genuine commitment to doing things the right way, every time.

    Food safety culture starts at the top but needs support from everyone across the business. It includes not only food handlers, but also people involved in cleaning, maintenance, procurement, marketing, event planning, recruitment and other activities, as they contribute to the business’s food safety and culture too.

    The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Trust (MCET) is committed to achieving an incident-free food and beverage experience for its customers and people. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Trust (MCET) takes its duty of care seriously to produce and deliver goods and services free from risk and contamination.

    The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Trust (MCET) recognises its responsibility under the Food Standards Code - (Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth)), and Codex Alimentarius.

    To maintain an Industry-leading safe food culture, all Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Trust (MCET) employees are appropriately trained and provided with the tools to complete their work safely and confidently. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Trust (MCET) believes that all consumables supplied to our internal and external customers should be procured, handled, produced, transported, stored, and served in line with all legal prescriptions currently existing.

    All food and beverage incidents are thoroughly investigated to ensure corrective actions are identified and continuous improvement occurs to remove the risk of a repeat.

    The MCET’s HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) Food Safety Plan is the standard that all MCET employees follow.

    All Hazards that the HACCP principles cover can be classed into four categories: biological, physical, chemical and allergen.

    Biological Hazards: include hazards from pathogens such as bacteria, mould, viruses and yeasts. Bacteria such as Salmonella and E-coli are present in many inputs and need to be managed carefully.

    Physical Hazards: include foreign matter such as glass, metal, wood and plastic being left in food from the production process.

    Chemical Hazards: can be caused through the misuse of antibiotics, contamination of sanitizers or cleaning agents, or environmental contamination from hydraulic fluids.

    Allergen Hazards: can be transferred to a food due to cross–contamination during storage, preparation, or service.

    The Food Safety Plan is regularly reviewed by the Food Safety Leadership Team and is internally and externally audited annually.

    Considerations

    • Food Act 1991

    • Food Safety Standards Australia New Zealand code 3.2.2

    • CODEX Alimentarius General Principles of Food Hygiene CXC 1-1969

    • CODEX Alimentarius Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators CXC 80-2020

  • Definitions

    Consumable: Items Refers to all food and beverage raw materials, including packaging (components of a product such as disposable cutlery, napkins, etc.).

    Contamination: The introduction or occurrence of a contaminant into food (Microbiological, Chemical, Physical or Allergen) that causes harm or illness to a person.

    Microbiological Contaminant: Microbiological hazards occur when food becomes contaminated by microorganisms found in the air, food, water, soil, animals, and the human body

    Chemical Contaminant: Chemical hazards include cleaning agents, pest control substances, and environmental or agricultural contaminants.

    Physical Contaminant: Physical hazards include foreign objects in food that can cause harm when eaten such as plastic, hair and glass etc.

    Allergen Contaminant: Peanuts, Tree Nuts [Almond, Brazil Nut, Cashew, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Pinenut, Pistachio, Walnut], Dairy, Lupins, Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusc, Lupins, Gluten [Wheat, Gluten, Barley, Oats, Rye], Soy, Egg, Sesame, Sulphites & others specific to individuals

    References

    External

    • Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth)

    • CODEX Alimentarius General Principles of Food Hygiene CXC 1-1969

    • CODEX Alimentarius Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators CXC 80-2020

    Internal

    • HACCP Food Safety Plan MCET

  • Division Name - Operational Services

    Department - Food & Beverage

    Sponsor - Chief Operating Officer

    Responsible Officer - Senior Manager Food & Beverage

    Policy ID MCET- 725537380-4543

    Version - 2.0

    Approved Date - 20/12/2023

    Review Frequency - Annual