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5 February 2020
Cost of Compliance Survey Update
In late 2019, Research New Zealand surveyed a cross-section of 3000+ New Zealand food and beverage businesses to better understand how much money, time and effort it takes to comply with food rules. We received an outstanding response. These results will help us focus on making changes where it counts the most – for food and beverage businesses.
Pure & Highly Concentrated Caffeine
In response to food safety concerns for consumers, the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeinated food products in New Zealand and Australia was banned from 12 December 2019. Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved this retail sale prohibition, because reports found pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products posed an immediate and acute risk to consumers.
Section 137 Review Completed
The review of Section 137 of the Food Act 2014 has been completed. The review concluded that Territorial Authorities should retain the exclusive and automatic right to verify local food businesses, that sell food directly to consumers and operate on a single site under a Section 39 Template Food Control Plan. Your co-operation in assisting us with the review was much appreciated.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds
We are consulting about Proposals to amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice. Feedback is welcome until 11 February 2020. Read more.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Nothing Fishy about Live Shellfish at SSS Businesses
We have heard from verifiers concerned at finding live shellfish at businesses operating with the Simply Safe & Suitable Template Food Control Plan. You can expect to find operators handling live shellfish at retailers, such as supermarkets and fishmongers, and at some restaurants. Read more.
New Zealand Food Safety Strategy & Action Plan
New Zealand Food Safety has unveiled a strategy and action plan to help focus resources, so we can quickly respond to current issues and prepare for emerging threats. Launched at the December 2019 NZ Food Safety Summit in Auckland, the strategy sets out a plan of action to 2024 and includes five priorities. Read more.
PUBLICATIONS
Translations: SSS & NP Guidance
To better support business owners and staff, we now have translations of the Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan and National Programme guidance available in eight languages – Te Reo Māori, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, Hindi, Khmer, and Vietnamese. These translations can be downloaded from Forms and Templates. Read more.
Pet Food Guidance
Food Act 2014 verifiers have sought clarity on the approach to take with food businesses making/selling food for pets, and which rules apply. Following months of development, we’re pleased to introduce our new Guide for Making Food for Animals.This guide explains the different food rules for making food for animals, or for both animals and humans. Read more.
EVENTS
Remote Verification Training for Verifiers
The Remote Verification training programme in Wellington is set for 25-28 February 2020. If you have not already applied and are interested in being considered for this programme, please email the Food Verifiers' Academy to ask for the Registration of Interest form. Read more about Remote Verification.
