What is an equivalent validated process or an alternative method of compliance? And can I use it?
Food legislation, such as the Food Standards Code, contains specific requirements that food businesses must comply with. For some standards, another way of meeting the requirements (an alternative method of compliance) may be appropriate and permitted, so long as the alternative method is equivalent in its performance and is validated. For certain processes, the Authority has detailed appropriate limits and methods (eg sanitise fresh produce in 100ppm free chlorine with a 5-minute soak). A food business may use a different method to the one specified in the Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme Manual (eg an alternative method of compliance for sanitising fresh produce), so long as the business is able to demonstrate that the alternative method will still achieve the same (equivalent) outcome and not adversely affect the safety and suitability of the food. For any alternative method, validation evidence will be required which will be reviewed at audit. For a process to be considered as
