Cold storage
If you are storing meat under refrigeration to extend its shelf-life, and are not involved in any form of processing (including repackaging or relabelling of product), then you require an accreditation with Safe Food Production Queensland (Safe Food).
This activity is classified as temperature controlled storage under the Meat Scheme of the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014.
Other accreditations you may need
If you are transporting meat or meat products, then you will also require an accreditation as a Transporter.
What should I submit with my application?
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Application form
Complete the Application form and select temperature controlled storage (meat scheme, cold store) as your activity on page 2.
Note: If you want to complete this form on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Payment details
Fees and payment details can be viewed within application form.
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Management statement
You must submit a management statement as part of your application. A management statement is a concise way of documenting how your business intends to operate and what activities you intend to undertake. It should be written by you (the applicant) in your own words. A template is available if desired.
Note: If you want to complete this template on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Approval from local council
You must provide written confirmation from your local council that you are permitted to undertake your proposed activities at the site from which you intend to operate.
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Photos of your cold storage unit
Please include photos that show:
- floors and walls
- doors & seals
- storage areas (e.g. racking)
- active refrigeration unit(s)
- temperature gauges
- hand washing facilities (including chemicals)
Note: If you wish to accredit multiple cold store units, you will need to submit separate photos for each.
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Site plan
Please submit a site plan that shows where the following is located:
- refrigeration unit(s)
- temperature gauges
- entry points/doors
- water points
- hand wash facilities
- location of lighting
- rodent bait locations
Your site plan can be submitted in any format, including a hand drawn diagram.
Note: If you wish to accredit multiple cold store units, you must submit separate site plans for each.
Submit your completed application to [email protected] or PO Box 221, Greenslopes, Brisbane, QLD 4120.
When to apply
Under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000, it is unlawful to engage in certain activities relating to primary production or processing of food until you have been granted an accreditation by Safe Food. As such, you should allow adequate time for your application to be reviewed by Safe Food before you begin operating.
Your application will aim to be assessed within 14 days, although applications submitted in their entirety (with all the items outlined above) are likely to be processed faster.
Once you have submitted your application, a member of our Central Assessment Team will contact you for payment (if paying by credit card). Once payment has been received, your application will be assessed, and we will contact you if we require any further information.
You will be notified in writing about the outcome of your application (approved or refused).
Fees
Fees are based on the activities you are carrying out and are outlined in the Application form.
New applications will incur a one-time application fee that is non-refundable.
Our accreditation period runs from 1st January – 31st December*. You will therefore need to renew your accreditation on an annual basis.
For more information, please refer to our fees & charges.
*Please note: Our fees are not pro-rata.
Standards & guidelines
Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014
Food Production (Safety) Act 2000
Standard 4.2.3 – Primary Production and Processing Standard for Meat and Meat Products
AS 4696 – Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption
Safe Food Notifications Protocol