Floods and fire - food safety requirements for businesses

Following events such as floods or fires that cause significant damage, food businesses must remain closed. Operations may only resume after the premises have been thoroughly inspected by structural engineers, licensed electricians, utility providers, and insurance assessors, and all required rectification works have been completed.

When considering salvage and disposal

  • salvaging canned food for resale is not recommended for food businesses
  • food businesses must not re-label packaged foods unless permission is obtained from the SA Health
  • ensure that discarded food cannot be collected by consumers. Councils may offer special collection.

Where a food business has had to close due to flooding or fire, an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may need to inspect prior to reopening to ensure all food safety measures have been taken.

It is the responsibility of the food business that has been damaged by flood or fire to assess its own food safety risks, however local government may be able to help with this assessment.