Change to food safety laws

Food manufacturers and retailers will no longer have to report food-related deaths or illnesses to the consumer watchdog.

Under new government legislation investigations will be left to state and territory bodies.

The change is part of the government's latest attack on red tape.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said state and territory public health laws require hospitals and doctors to report food-related illnesses or deaths.

At the same time Commonwealth consumer law requires everyone in the food chain to report such deaths or illnesses to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Mr Billson said both the ACCC and food safety regulators consider the requirements haven't made food safer.

But they took up a lot of their time and resources while imposing costs on the food industry.