Boil water alert precautions for commercial establishments serving food or drink to the public

Food manufacturers, cafes, restaurants, aged care homes, childcare centres, medical facilities and other commercial establishments that serve food or water to the public are reminded of their obligations to produce safe food during and following boil water alerts.

Important considerations

Water that is not subject to further treatment (either through boiling or suitable filtration) must not be used:

• in drinks, including soft drinks produced from post mix dispensers connected to the water supply
• to prepare ice particularly if the ice is to be sold, used in drinks, used as an ingredient in foods, or used in contact with foods
• for washing and processing of foods that will be eaten without further cooking, such as salad vegetables, fruit or shucked oysters
• for rinsing food equipment, such as eating and drinking utensils, or beer lines. Beer lines should be flushed through with beer after cleaning and before use.

Espresso coffee machines heat water to a temperature hot enough to deliver a safe product.

Recommendations

• Use commercial dish and glass washers (that have a high temperature sanitation rinse cycle) for cleaning and sanitising of food contact equipment such as plates, cups, glassware, cutlery, chopping boards etc.
• Domestic dishwashers may be used, provided that the hottest and longest program is used (e.g. heavy duty, hygienic wash, high intensity) – economy and other short duration cycles are not suitable. The lower temperatures reached by domestic washers needs to be compensated with longer cycle times.
• Consider closing/restricting trade when supplies of clean equipment/utensils/tableware are exhausted until such time as equipment can be adequately cleaned and sanitised.
• Review and amend menus – do not serve foods that require washing (such as certain salads other raw product) unless the product can be washed in adequately treated, safe water.

For more information

• Speak to your local Council’s Environmental Health Officer.
• Ring the Public Health Hotline 1800 671 738 and ask to speak with a food safety officer.
• Boil water alerts
• Food safety