The new laws that empower local councils as food safety enforcers and allow the government to publish food law violations come into affect from the start of next month.

The new Food Amendment Act 2007 becomes official from July 1.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the new laws formally recognise the food regulation responsibilities of 152 NSW councils and would lead to thousands of foodservice premises who do not meet requirements will be in the NSW Food Authority website.

"This name and shame legislation is about providing choice to the people of NSW and giving an added incentive to businesses to do the right thing."

Mr Macdonald said the introduction of the new laws not only marked a new era in food safety, but would also help empower consumers.

"Although local government has for many years inspected and regulated food premises, the new legislation formally recognises their responsibilities, resulting in better co-ordination between councils and the Food Authority.

"The name and shame laws mean the details of food premises that receive penalty notices from the Authority and councils for serious food offences will be put on the website.

"From 1 July, dodgy food outlets that cut corners and put consumers' health at risk are more likely to get caught and be exposed for the whole community to see.

"Since the name and shame law was proclaimed on 3 May, the Food Authority has issued 32 penalty notices to businesses for a range of offences including unhygienic premises, equipment and poor maintenance standards.

"Depending on their type and severity, all these offences may appear on the Authority's website for anyone to see."

"The overwhelming majority of businesses that do the right thing and observe food safety laws have nothing to fear from these new laws. There are rigorous safeguards in place to ensure minor infringements do not penalise the reputations of businesses. It's the dubious operators that these new laws will help get caught and outed."