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FoodTrader is an online system for the state-wide registration and notification of temporary and mobile food premises, including food vending machines and water transport vehicles. The system is also used to record and use compliance information or other information required to administer the Food Act 1984 (the Food Act).
The information provided online is entered into the FoodTrader database which is used by local government to administer the Food Act, address local public health issues and needs, or enhance opportunities to protect public health. This includes assessing notifications and applications for registration, and monitoring compliance with the Food Act by food businesses. As registration and notification of food businesses on FoodTrader is statewide, councils across the state have access to, and can use, FoodTrader for this purpose.
The FoodTrader online system and database is hosted and administered by the Department of Health of the State of Victoria (the Department) for use by local government. For more information about how the Department handles your information, please see the Department’s privacy policy (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/privacy#privacy-policy).
This website uses Google Analytics to track and measure visitation numbers using clickstream data, cookies and web beacons. Google Analytics uses a first-party cookie and JavaScript code to collect information about visitors to this website. Google Analytics anonymously tracks how our visitors interact with this website, including where they came from, what they did on the site, and whether they completed any transactions on the site. We do not and will not match any data collected by Google Analytics with any personal information. For more information visit www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy.
FoodTrader collects personal information from councils, food businesses, customers or interested members of the public, community groups selling food, and water carters. Personal information collected by FoodTrader may include:
FoodTrader is not intended for the collection of health information and we request that you refrain from recording any health information on the system. If it is necessary for you to submit personal information about someone else, please ensure you have taken reasonable steps to seek their consent and provided them with the information in this collection notice.
If you apply to register or notify your food premises or water transport vehicle via this website, the personal information collected from you will include your name, your business address, your contact details (telephone, email), and may include some details about your business or community group. Information collected will include personal information about applications to register or notify food premises received by council. This includes applications lodged via this website and also applications lodged in “hard copy” form which are entered into FoodTrader by council staff.
Councils may also use FoodTrader to record any information relevant to administering the Food Act.
Where personal information is collected, such information may be used or disclosed by local councils or the Department for purposes including the following:
For the purposes above, FoodTrader may disclose information to the Department, the relevant council, and other relevant stakeholders.
De-identified information may be used for public reporting purposes or as otherwise authorised or required by law.
The Food Act requires that any premises from which a food business operates be registered with, or notified to, the relevant council by the proprietor. If you operate a food business from a premises, whether temporary, mobile, or fixed, relevant information about the business must be assessed by the principal council, and available to councils for them to use if you operate in their municipality or require assistance. Registrations or notifications provide information about you and your business and premises to enable these statutory requirements to be met. Whether you apply online via this website or complete a hard copy application, you must provide this information if you want to operate a food premises. You will also be required to sign a declaration that the information you have provided is true and complete before you lodge your registration/notification.
Failure to provide all or part of the information via FoodTrader may result in delays in complying with your registration and other obligations under the Food Act or other relevant laws. Depending on the arrangements and practices of your relevant council, it may also result in ultimately failing to comply with those obligations.
In accordance with the Information Privacy Principle 4 of the Privacy and Data Protection Act, FoodTrader takes reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse or loss and from unauthorised access, modification or discourse. It does this by requiring authentication to access its information, ensuring appropriate levels of secure protection from external access and by establishing and enforcing policies to ensure appropriate user activity. Strict terms of use are placed on all users and administrators of FoodTrader, including local council and Department of Health staff. Technology and security policies, rules and measures apply to protect the personal information kept in FoodTrader. This includes an “audit trail” which enables the access of users to be monitored, to ensure that their use of the information held in FoodTrader is appropriate.
However, you should be aware that there are risks in transmitting information across the internet. So while FoodTrader strives to protect such information, the security of any information transmitted online cannot be guaranteed and individuals do so at their own risk. Once any personal information enters FoodTrader, reasonable steps will be taken to protect that information from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.
Additional steps are taken to protect the security of information, with at least 128-bit SSL encryption. Before using these facilities, you should ensure that you are using a web browser that supports 128-bit encryption or 256-bit encryption. In many web browsers, you can confirm that your session is encrypted by the appearance of a locked padlock symbol located in the browser status bar at the foot of the browser.
FoodTrader uses two data centres located in Sydney and Melbourne. This is to support hosting of Australian customer data while maintaining data sovereignty. FoodTrader data is never moved outside of these data centres to foreign data centres. These data centres are managed in compliance with information security regulations in accordance with Australian government standards.
Information is retained in FoodTrader where authorised or required under the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic).
You have a right to seek access to information about you held on FoodTrader. To request access to such information, contact your principal council. This will be the council that you have applied to, or which has registered or accepted a notification of your food premises.
Where appropriate, you should be able to request access to your personal information directly from your principal council, without the need to make a formal application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. However, there are situations where it will not be appropriate to provide direct access to information, and you will be required to make an FOI application to that council. This may be the case where, for example, providing direct access would compromise the privacy of another person.
If you have a question or concern regarding your own application or status on FoodTrader, or about access or correction of your personal information, contact your principal council.
If you have a question about FoodTrader’s management of your personal information, contact:
FoodTrader System Administrator Food Safety Unit Health Protection Branch Department of Health Postal Address: GPO BOX 4057, MELBOURNE, VIC 3001 Street Address: 50 Lonsdale Street, MELBOURNE, VIC 3000 Email: foodtrader@health.vic.gov.au
Version 2, June 2023
