FSANZ consults on pet dogs in outdoor dining areas
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has invited submissions on whether to allow pet dogs in outdoor areas of eating establishments.
The Food Standards Code currently doesn’t allow animals, except guide dogs, in areas where food is handled.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon said that a number of jurisdictions have specifically regulated to allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas, resulting in an inconsistent approach across Australia.
He said, “While the proposal aims to provide a consistent approach nationally, businesses will retain the right to have the final say in whether pet dogs are allowed on their premises.
“A FSANZ risk assessment has found that the risk of foodborne transmission of disease from pet dogs in outdoor settings to humans is very low to negligible.”
The closing date for submissions on the proposal is 13 June 2012.
