Queenslanders who sell food from their homes could soon be subject to stricter rules under a push from the state government to shake up Queensland's food safety regime.
Commercial food operations at private residences, such as a cake business run from someone's house or an at-home cooking class, currently fall outside the state's food safety licensing laws.
But this could soon change under a raft of food reforms proposed by Queensland Health — including one potential change that would cut red tape for vendors wanting to offer taste tests or samples.
In a new consultation paper, the department has pointed out that food prepared and sold for a fee at a private residence is currently exempt from Queensland's Food Act.
Queensland Health has suggested that should be changed, noting there were a number of food businesses that only operated from private residences.
"The food safety risks of these businesses are no different to other commercial food businesses," Queensland Health says in the paper.
"However, the current exemption allows these businesses to fall outside of licensing requirements, thereby operating without any regulatory oversight.
"It is therefore proposed to amend the Food Act to clarify that the exemption provision for the sale of food at a private residence does not relate to commercial activities."
Examples included businesses that catered for private dinner parties, cooking lessons at a private home, and "virtual" or "dark" kitchens which prepared food for sale via online delivery platforms.
Meanwhile, in a bid to lift the regulatory burden on businesses offering samples, the department has proposed scrapping the requirement for taste testing to be classed as a "licensable activity".
In its paper, Queensland Health suggests the current rules pose an "unnecessary administrative, financial, and regulatory burden" on businesses, as well as the councils that enforce the laws.
It says farmers markets that offer samples of fruit that are normally sold whole, or food taste testing at supermarkets, are captured by the current licensing rules.
Market coordinator for Goodwill Projects, Mark Power, said the potential changes to the sampling rules were a "positive step".
Goodwill Projects operates a number markets across south-east Queensland, including in Brisbane city, Milton, West End and Nundah.
"The experienced vendors certainly offer sampling," Mr Power said.
"Sampling is a really critical component for them to build awareness of their goods or service.
"We see different levels of sampling.
"And those who do it well, it's still a very powerful retail tool to use."
Brisbane City Council chair for city standards, Kim Marx, said the council would consider the impact of the changes proposed by Queensland Health and provide feedback to the state government.
"We want to make it easier for people to run a small business in Brisbane, while at the same time ensuring food safety regulations protect Brisbane residents," she said.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery described the proposed changes to the sampling rules as "common sense".
"Taste testing is a low-risk activity because the food is generally prepared on site for immediate consumption, and does not require extended hot or cold holding," he said.
"I definitely see obtaining a food licence as an unnecessary regulatory burden when it comes to trying a juice or yoghurt in the supermarket or cut fruit at the farmers market."
The consultation paper will be open for feedback until June 11.
