For those of you who like to kick back and enjoy Bunnings’s delicious sausage sizzles every now and then, this article is for you.

After reports of incoming food safety laws, many expressed their concerns that the much-loved Aussie treat would end.

However, the company has finally broken its silence about these concerns.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) recently introduced new requirements for people in the food service, catering and retail sectors to complete an online training course before they can handle food from December this year.

People believed this would signal an end for the Bunnings sausage sizzles, but the company has assured its customers that their 20-year tradition would continue.

Bunnings assured customers that sausage sizzles will continue despite the new Food Standards code. Credit: Bunnings

‘We've been supporting thousands of local community groups via fundraising sausage sizzles for well over two decades,’ Director of Store Operations at Bunnings Ben Camire confirmed.

‘The fact many families make it a tradition to visit their local Bunnings store on the weekend, grab a snag and raise money for local causes brings our team a lot of joy,’ he added.

The new requirements to be imposed by Food Standards cite an exemption for charity events—like the Bunnings events.

‘If these are run as fundraising events, i.e. “an event that raises funds solely for a community or charitable cause and not for personal financial gain”, the requirements in Standard 3.2.2A will not apply,’ FSANZ explained.

Standard 3.2.2A refers to the code changes introducing training modules.

‘The exemption recognises fundraising events are often run by volunteers, on an ad hoc basis,’ they added. ‘However, organisations running fundraising events still have to ensure only safe and suitable food is sold.’

Mr Camire said: ‘As community groups host sausage sizzles at our stores for fundraising and charitable purposes, it's our understanding they're exempt from the new safety standards scheduled to come into effect later this year.’

Bunnings has also provided community groups with guidelines for their sausage sizzles to meet food handling requirements set by local councils.

‘The detail can vary depending on their location, but in general, this covers the safe handling and preparation of food,’ Mr Camire noted.

New Food Safety Laws in Australia and New Zealand

The FSANZ is introducing these laws with the goal of enhancing food service across the region, creating a safer, more informed, and professional food industry.

The laws, set to take effect in December 2023, mandate that anyone involved in the food service, catering, and retail sectors must complete an online training course in handling food.

This ensures that food safety measures are maintained at the highest standards, reducing the odds of foodborne illnesses. It also encourages everyone who handles food to follow standardised safety measures and hygiene practices.

The aim is to make food serving and purchase a reliable and safe experience for every consumer.

In terms of the online training, it would cover safe food handling practices, temperature control, kitchen hygiene, allergen management and more. This would set out a complete framework for anyone in the food service industry.

Key Takeaways

• Bunnings has assured customers its beloved sausage sizzles will continue despite new food safety laws.
  
• Food Standards Australia and New Zealand are introducing new requirements for people in the food service sector to undergo online training, sparking concerns for the future of Bunnings sausage sizzles.
  
• Director of Store Operations at Bunnings, Ben Camire, confirmed the sausage sizzles will continue their 20-year tradition at stores and are exempt from the new safety standards.
  
• The new Food Standards code includes an exemption for charity fundraising events, meaning Bunnings' sausage sizzles can continue as long as safe and suitable food is sold.
  

What do you think of this story, members? Do you frequent Bunnings sausage sizzle events? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

[Lizzylou]

I think it's a good idea to have continual training when it comes to food prep, I am the kind of person who will say something if I have seen someone about to serve me to wash their hands if they have touched their nose, or rubbed their hands through their hair, or indeed wiped their nose or even on a hot day their brow. I do also think there is a way to ask them to do that and not get all bent out of shape when doing so. Sadly it is the younger ones who do not like being told to wash their hands again when needed, but if they were trained properly then it should become second nature.

 

[Leenie]

I think it's a good idea to have continual training when it comes to food prep, I am the kind of person who will say something if I have seen someone about to serve me to wash their hands if they have touched their nose, or rubbed their hands through their hair, or indeed wiped their nose or even on a hot day their brow. I do also think there is a way to ask them to do that and not get all bent out of shape when doing so. Sadly it is the younger ones who do not like being told to wash their hands again when needed, but if they were trained properly then it should become second nature.

Spot on.