Food safety checks for delivery vehicles

Published on 20 August 2019

Food safety compliance checks will be carried out on food delivery vehicles to ensure they meet legislative requirements for safe transport of commercially prepared food.

The City of Hobart will conduct an audit of vehicles used within the social food delivery service, which is described as being commercial food delivery that is arranged via social media or an app.

The decision follows the receipt of complaints about the cleanliness of vehicles and food handling practices by some food delivery drivers.

“We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of commercially prepared food being consumed in our city,” City Planning Committee Chair Cr Helen Burnet said. “We already inspect the premises where food is prepared and cooked, but food delivery vehicles have often been overlooked.

“With the social food delivery service industry expanding rapidly, we have a role in ensuring the principles of the Food Act 2003 are being met all the way from the kitchen to the door.”

The audit will initially focus on the North Hobart restaurant precinct, which has the highest concentration of social food delivery service providers.