The Co-regulatory Priorities Panel wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has engaged with a monthly dashboard, volunteered their time to chat with a Panel member, or provided feedback. Despite the challenges of 2020, the Panel accomplished several key actions, none of which would have been possible without collaboration among co-regulators. Read more. 

Horticulture New Zealand FCP Consultations

We’re seeking feedback on two New Zealand Food Safety consultations, on behalf of Horticulture New Zealand Limited: NZ Good Agricultural Practice GLOBALG.A.P. Equivalent Section 40 Food Control Plan, and Amendment to the NZ Good Agricultural Practice Section 40 Food Control Plan. If you’d like to have your say, please check out these links, and let us know your feedback by 5pm, 23 December. Read more.

Review of Bi-National Food Regulation System

In November 2019, the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation endorsed a plan to reform the bi-national food regulation system to ensure it remains strong, robust, and agile into the future. As part of that programme of reform, feedback is currently being sought on the “Aspirations for the food regulatory system" consultation paper. Submissions for this consultation will close on 22 January. Read more.

Survey COVID-19 Webinars

Feedback from Food Act 2014 verification agencies and registration authorities about New Zealand Food Safety’s 2020 COVID-19 webinar series has been very encouraging. Thus far, we have received an impressive 172 responses to our webinar survey. We’ve also received a total of 65 written comments which helps us to make improvements. If you would still like to have your say, the survey closes 21 December. Read more.

Close-out Dates for Applications

Please note the following dates for the Christmas-New Year period. Most MPI sites will be closed from midday on 24 December 2020, and will open again on 5 January 2021. For the Animal Products Act, Food Act and Wine Act, completed applications received after 20 November may not be approved until the New Year. Read more.

Journey of the Haumaru Kai Kete

An 2019-21 initiative is underway between Northland iwi, Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail Trust, New Zealand Food Safety, Northland Inc, and Far North District Council, to support iwi and hapu making and selling food at marae. The aim is to combine manaakitanga with food safety requirements, and translate legislation into practical marae-based food rules through a co-designed template Food Control Plan and toolkit called the “Haumaru Kai Kete”. Read more.

It’s Time for Christmas Hams

New Zealand Food Safety is keen to share some messaging with businesses to help them manage the food safety risks associated with increased ham production around this busy season. Territorial Authorities and verifiers, if you can help share some key Christmas ham messages with your food processors and manufacturers (that trade in pork products) that would be excellent. Read more.

Clean, Cook, Chill

Territorial Authorities and verifiers, you might like to also help share our Clean Cook Chill messages with your communities this summer through your digital channels, especially social media. We’ll run the Clean Cook Chill campaign from December 2020 through to April 2021. For consumer food safety tips that you can share, click here. Read more.

2021 NZIEH Conference

Join us at the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health’s Virtual Conference, 24-25 March 2021. Registrations will open in January 2021. A wide range of speakers are lined up for this event, including from the USA’s National Association of Environmental Health, Massey University and New Zealand Food Safety. Read more.

Thanks from Food News!

Many thanks to everyone who has read, contributed to, and/or shared feedback about Food News this year – very much appreciated. We now have 1,268 active unique subscribers. All feedback about Food News is most welcome via foodactinfo@mpi.govt.nz Until 2021, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!