In forceUpdated to 1 Jul 2026

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Food Safety and Security Act 2025 · Updated to 1 Jul 2026 · Part 8 · Offences Relating to Food Safety

148. Handling food making it unsuitable

(1)

A person commits an offence if the person handles any food intended for supply in a way that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, makes, will make, or is likely to make, the food unsuitable.

(2)

A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction —

(a)

where the person is an individual —

(i)

to a fine not exceeding $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; or

(ii)

where the individual is a repeat offender — to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both; or

(b)

where the person is not an individual —

(i)

to a fine not exceeding $30,000; or

(ii)

where the person is a repeat offender — to a fine not exceeding $60,000.

(3)

In subsection (2), “repeat offender”, in relation to an offence under subsection (1), means a person who —

(a)

is convicted, or found guilty, of such an offence (called the current offence); and

(b)

has been convicted or found guilty, on at least one other earlier occasion within the period of 5 years immediately before the date on which the person is convicted or found guilty of the current offence, of an offence —

(i)

under subsection (1); or

(ii)

under section 20 of the Sale of Food Act 1973 for contravening section 19 of that Act.

(4)

For the purposes of subsection (3), the conviction or finding of guilt for an offence referred to in subsection (3)(b)(ii) may be before, on or after the commencement of this section.

(5)

For the purposes of this section, it is immaterial whether the food concerned is safe.

Read on from s 149

Part 9