MidCoast Council have won the NSW Food Authority's Food Regulation Partnership Champion Award 2025 in the Country category, for outstanding performance and achievement in food surveillance.
Director of Liveable Communities Paul De Szell said that this award recognises the excellent work that Council's food safety staff undertake and their dedication to supporting local food businesses.
"Last year we saw MidCoast food businesses outshine the rest of the State with 93% having a four or five-star food safety rating under the Scores on Doors rating system."
"The NSW state average was only 79%. This shows that staff and the business community are working together to achieve an enviable overall food hygiene standard in our area," Mr De Szell said.
The State Government has tasked local Councils with regulating food safety and helping food businesses to comply with the NSW Food Authority's regulations.
While Council's food safety team does conduct inspections and investigate complaints, their main goal is to educate. They provide seminars, training videos, newsletters, and face-to-face assistance.
They are especially focussed on keeping businesses up to date with food safety news as well as supporting businesses owners to get new staff adequately trained in food safety. Through support and education, they help businesses understand how to achieve a high 'Scores on Doors' rating.
The food safety rating, known as 'Scores on Doors' can help consumers identify businesses that have performed well during food safety inspections. Many businesses choose to display their score.
