Covid-19 update for food businesses

We acknowledge this is a difficult time for all businesses as you adapt and change due to the restrictions imposed by the State and Federal Governments in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are committed to supporting our local businesses and will be providing clear guidance and information to assist you and your food business at this challenging time. Our friendly Environmental Health Officers will be visiting open food businesses to check in on how you are adapting to the current restrictions.

If your food business has temporarily closed or adapted to takeaway and/or deliveries, please contact the City's Environmental Health team via email health@fremantle.wa.gov.au to advise of changes. 

What can food businesses do?

Ensure safe and suitable food by adhering to the Food Safety Standards with measures such as:

• cleaning and sanitising, particularly all food contact surfaces
• thorough and frequent handwashing
• adequate temperature control for food storage and deliveries and
• taking all practicable measures to prevent food contamination by food handlers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued precautionary recommendations including advice on good hygiene practices during food handling and preparation, they include:

• washing hands between handling raw and cooked foods
• thorough cooking and proper handling of meat products
• covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and
• avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing.

As an added precaution, if you have suspected symptoms of respiratory illness you should avoid preparing food for other people and seek medical attention.

Read more information here

• Food Safety Standards and Coronavirus
• Clean hands prevent against infection
• Food Safety and COVID-19 factsheet (21 April 2020) 

Is your business delivering food?

Make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to ensure safe and suitable food is delivered to your customers by:

• Package food in suitable food grade containers to prevent contamination.
• Ensuring food is kept at the appropriate temperature;
  - Cold food to be delivered in a refrigerated food vehicle or insulated containers with ice bricks.
  - Hot foods to be delivered as soon as possible and transported in insulated bags.

Further information on the safe transport of food can be found using this link Food Standards Code

Environmental cleaning for workplaces

Routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces using appropriate detergent/disinfectant solutions or wipes is effective at minimising the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission.

It is recommended that the frequency of cleaning in all areas be increased. This is especially important in high traffic areas and areas accessed by the public.

Please click on the following links to view information on cleaning for general workplaces (non-healthcare settings) during the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Environmental cleaning for workplaces (PDF 88 kb) – WA Health Department
• Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19 factsheet – Australian Department of Health

Need more information?

To access up-to-date information about COVID-19 visit:

• Australian Government Department of Health
• WA Department of Health
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
• World Health Organisation

If you require any support, clarification and any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the City’s Environmental Health Team by email health@fremantle.wa.gov.au

New food businesses

If you want to open a new food business within the City of Fremantle, you will need to first ensure you have correct planning approval and building approval for the premises.  Please note that the Environmental Health Department cannot proceed with your application if you have not provided evidence that you have obtained the appropriate approvals for the site or written confirmation that the site has the appropriate approvals in place. Planning / Building can be contacted by phoning 1300 693 736 or email info@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

New food businesses must notify or register with the City's Environmental Health Department by completing the application to register a new food business.  Our food business construction guidelines will provide you with detailed information on approval and construction requirements. 

Please note that applicants wishing to trade from a market operating from a 'fixed set up' location including fixed stalls at the the Fremantle Markets and E-shed Markets must also complete an application to register a new food business. Stalls operating in a 'pop up' style are required to complete a temporary food stall application form.

To transfer the registration of a food business both the seller and purchaser must complete an application to transfer a food business and submit the form to the City's Environmental Health Team for approval. 

Environmental health inspections

Our environmental health officers routinely inspect all food businesses within the City of Fremantle for compliance with the food act, regulations and food safety standards to ensure hygiene and structural requirements are being maintained. The inspection rate is dependent on the food types sold or produced, previous inspection results and if vulnerable consumer groups are the targeted population. We also regularly sample food from city based manufacturers such as bakeries and butchers.

I'm Alert - food safety training

Click here to find out more about food safety training.

Unique food vehicles

The City of Fremantle has embraced the emerging national and international food truck scene and are activating ‘forgotten’ public spaces though the launch of a unique food vehicle project. The intent is to identify under-utilised public spaces in the community and make them available to diverse food vehicle businesses that offer culturally unique, healthy, fresh, high quality, safe and reasonably priced food.

Read more on our unique food vehicle page.

Outdoor eating areas (alfresco dining)

Find out more about alfresco dining here.

Temporary food stalls (for markets or events)

Temporary food stall holders wishing to trade at approved events or at a recognised market within the City of Fremantle require approval from our Environmental Health Services team. 

Find out more about temporary food stalls here.

Residential food premises

If you wish to sell food that you have prepared at home, then you must ensure you have obtained home occupation Planning approval first. Please note that the Environmental Health Department cannot proceed with your application if you have not provided evidence that you have obtained the appropriate Planning approvals for the site or confirmation from the Planning Department advising that the site has the appropriate approvals in place.

Once you have obtained the Planning information you will then need to complete the application to register a residential food business, and submit to the City of Fremantle.

For further information on what is required for residential food business to be suitable to prepare low risk foods visit the Department of Health website here or refer to the City's food business construction guidelines. 

Food labelling

Food products are required to be labelled in accordance with the Food Standards Code. The only exemption from this is food produced solely for community or charity fund raising events. For more information you can download the following brochures:

•     Food labelling - guidelines (for food stalls and other commercial food businesses)
•     Food labelling - information for community and charity groups

The food standards Australia New Zealand website may also be very helpful. Providing a nutrition panel calculator, simply specify the ingredients used and the calculator with generate the nutrition panel information.