Reusable containers

Customers may bring their own reusable containers for take-away food and drinks. You can choose whether to accept these containers.

Accepting containers

If your business chooses to accept a customers container, under the national food safety standards you must check that the container is:

• visibly clean
• not chipped, broken or cracked.

Durable containers

Containers must be made from durable materials that can be cleaned between uses.

Single-use materials such as cardboard, soft plastic, or compostable containers are not suitable.

Cleaning containers

You can choose to clean a customers dirty container before serving food or beverage in it. You can also refuse the container if it is not suitable.

Dirty containers can be a risk of contamination to other food items.

Food safety tips for customers

To ensure food safety when using your own containers, you can:

• make sure your container is made from a durable material and has a secure lid to prevent contamination and spillage during storage and transport
• take perishable food to its destination as quickly as possible to avoid spoilage
• use insulated bags to help maintain food temperature for hot or cold foods that need to be transported over longer distances
• use ice bricks to keep cold foods colder during transport.