Who needs a Food Safety Supervisor in a cafe?
Standard 3.2.2A applies to food service businesses that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous food — which covers virtually every cafe that prepares food on-site. If your cafe makes sandwiches, cooks eggs, prepares smoothies with dairy, or serves any cooked food, you need a certified FSS.
The FSS must hold a current certificate from an approved RTO covering food handling and food safety practices relevant to the food service or hospitality sector.
Choosing the right person for the FSS role
The FSS should be someone who is regularly present during operations and has genuine supervisory authority over food handling practices — typically the owner, manager, or head chef. Nominating a junior staff member who is not actually supervising food safety practices does not satisfy the intent of Standard 3.2.2A.
AMES Food Advisory helps cafes identify the right candidate for the FSS role, assess any knowledge gaps, and prepare the nominated person for the certification assessment through targeted training before they sit the formal assessment with an approved RTO.
Book a training needs assessment to discuss your cafe's FSS requirements, or view our fixed-price packages.