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Remote Verification
If you missed the submission date for registering agency interest and nominating verifiers for the upcoming Remote Verification Training and Assessment Centre, we have extended the submission date to 5pm, 25 October. The Training and Assessment Centre for Remote Verification will be held 2- 6 December in Wellington.
CPP Update
If you're a regulatory manager at a Territorial Authority, keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Proposed Food Act Priorities Paper, arriving in your email inbox. To have your say in the Co-regulatory Priorities Panel consultation process, access the survey link in the Priorities Paper. Any questions, email secretariatcpp@mpi.govt.nz
CPD Programme
The final series of live Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme webinars begins the week of 29 October. If you have not yet attended one of these sessions – log into the Food Verifiers Academy, then go to the CPD page, select your preferred date, and input your details. Your first Learning Plans are due by 30 November, 2019.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Close-out Dates for Approvals Applications
For the Christmas-New Year period, most MPI sites will be closed from 5pm 24 December 2019, and will open again on 3 January 2020. If we receive correctly completed Animal Products Act, Food Act or Wine Act applications by Friday, 22 November 2019, we'll try to process these before Christmas. Any applications received after that date may not be approved until the New Year. Read more.
Regulatory Services Audit Update
We’ve now completed the audits of regulatory services across Territorial Authorities (TAs). Your co-operation in assisting us was much appreciated. The visits reflected the immense amount of work that TAs completed during the introduction of the Food Act, particularly in the areas of registration and verification. We’re now finalising the “Co-regulator Food Act 2014 Implementation Progress Review” to share with TAs. Read more.
Use of “MPI Approved”
We’ve noticed that some verifiers and evaluators are incorrectly using the wording “MPI Approved” in their email signatures. Please note that the use of Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) logos and/or phrases such as “MPI registered” or “MPI approved” on non-MPI materials or products is an offence (with certain exceptions) under the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981. The use of “MPI endorsed” is not permitted. Read more.
Quality Management System Assessment Service
A number of verification agencies (this includes councils) are due for their three-yearly re-assessment under the Food Act Quality Management System (QMS) Assessment Service. So it's timely to explain who is responsible for what in delivering this service. Read more.
New Zealand Food Safety Strategy
A successful public consultation was held by the New Zealand Food Safety team to test its draft strategy. We received 307 submissions, with 62% of these from consumers. Our online survey was a success with 83% of submitters using this as their vehicle for providing their thoughts on the draft strategy. The final strategy will be launched at the Food Safety Summit on 10 December in Auckland. Read more.
Check out Māori Television
New Zealand Food Safety has connected with Māori Television to celebrate kai (food), hapori (community) and promote food safety. Our Food Safety Māori Television Advertising Campaign includes: named New Zealand Food Safety sponsorship of Te Wharekai Online; integration with two kai programmes (inc. Easy Eats 7:30pm on Thursdays); TV advertising (inc. Make & Sell Kai; and social media. Read more.
Cross-border E-commerce Trade
Did you know that New Zealand businesses engaged in Cross-border E-commerce (CBEC) trade of food may be required to register under the Food Act 2014? The type of food product and destination market determine the rules that apply. If you are verifying and/or working with food businesses that are sending food overseas, please check they know and understand the rules. Read more.
Titiro Bulk Upload
It’s timely for an update about Titiro, MPI's online verification and enforcement outcome recording system. Thanks to your feedback, we’re updating the Bulk Upload Guide, which provides specific standards when a user chooses the bulk upload option. We will continue to assist users with reported errors to find solutions. Read more.
EVENTS
Recognised Persons Workshops 2019
The focus for the 2019 Recognised Persons Workshops is: Towards Mastery of Verification Practice. New Zealand Food Safety will be hosting workshops across seven locations from late November through to mid-December. Email notifications will be sent out the week of 21 October. Please visit the Food Verifiers Academy for more information and to register. Read more.
Hawke’s Bay: Free Business Events
Giving businesses a boost with free one-on-one expert sessions, workshops and inspiring stories from small businesses, New Zealand Food Safety will be attending a series of Hawke’s Bay Kiwi Business Boost events in November. The first-ever Kiwi Business Boost series, presented by business.govt.nz, will be held in Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and Waipawa from 11-21 November. Read more.
New Zealand Food Safety Summit
The New Zealand Food Safety Summit will be held at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland on 10 December 2019. The event provides delegates an opportunity to learn about domestic and international food safety issues, and be active participants in the sessions with food safety experts from New Zealand and around the world. Details about the Summit and early bird registration will soon be available on our Conferences and Events pages.
AWARDS
Finalists New Zealand Food Awards
We’re excited to announce our finalists for the Primary Sector Products Award category in the 2019 New Zealand Food Awards: New Zealand Quinoa Limited (Natural Quinoa); Olliff Farm Ltd (Premium Pasture Eggs); Kiwi Quinoa Limited (Retail Pouch of Wholegrain Quinoa); and Wild Game Salamis (Halal Goat Cuts). Read more.
