Donating food

If you are a food wholesaler or retailer and you want to donate food, it must be safe for human consumption.

'Safe' food is food that is unlikely to make the person who eats it sick or cause them physical harm.

If the donated food could be construed as 'food for sale', you need to ensure that you have complied with the requirements of the:

• the Food Act 1981
• Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

You can find out more about complying with the legislation on the page, Starting up, in the left-hand menu or by visiting the page Guidance & tips for selling food.

You need to take particular care if you are donating foods that:

• need temperature control
• have a 'Use-by' date.

Read MPI's advice on good practices when donating food. Look for the link to Donated food guidance this document.

Emergency