Cost of Compliance Survey

We have contracted Research New Zealand to conduct a Cost of Compliance Survey on our behalf to better understand how much money, time and effort it takes to comply with food rules. Verifiers and Territorial Authorities – can you please promote the survey to your local businesses. If they receive an email survey invitation, and complete the survey by 6 December 2019, they will go into a draw to win great prizes! Read more.

Close-out Dates for Approvals Applications

For the Christmas-New Year period, most MPI sites will be closed from the end of business on 24 December 2019, and will open again on 3 January 2020. If we received correctly completed Animal Products Act, Food Act or Wine Act applications by 22 November 2019, we’ll try to process these before Christmas. Applications received after that date may not be approved until the New Year. Read more.

Honey Registration

The type of registration a honey business needs depends on what the honey business does. Extractors and packers of honey need to register for a National Programme (NP) Level 1, unless registered under the Animal Products Act 1999. We have also determined that businesses which only process or pack creamed honey can now operate with a NP 1, under the sector for extractors and packers of honey. Read more.

Titiro Update

Thank to the Territorial Authorities (TAs) that are engaging with the monthly dashboard performance reporting. The feedback that we’ve received through this process and the Co-regulatory Priorities Panel survey has enabled us to respond to issues that will improve the quality of data in Titiro. There are a number of areas that TAs and Recognised Agencies must be aware of when uploading verification data in bulk. Read more.

New Zealand Food Safety Summit

The New Zealand Food Safety Summit will be held in Auckland on 10 December 2019. Tickets are available here. This is a rare opportunity to engage with international and domestic speakers and hear from some of the most influential players in the food industry on topics such as food innovation, international regulatory frameworks, and consumer confidence. Read more.

Recognised Persons’ Days

The 2019 Recognised Persons’ Days, themed ‘Towards mastery of verification practice’, commenced this month. There are a few places available in Dunedin on 11 December and Wellington on 13 December. If you want to register for either of these dates, please visit the Recognised Persons' Workshop page. Read more.

Border Bugs: Processing Times for Imported Foods

Following feedback from the food industry, we’ve developed a new document – Border Bugs: Update on Processing Times for Imported Foods. We were told that increased processing times at the border during high season for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) had coincided with the holiday rush and led to unfortunate circumstances for industry. Read more.

Importing Food Made From Fortified Ingredients 

Following our recent targeted consulation, the Importing food made from fortified ingredients into New Zealand guidance is now live. This is a tool for businesses who want to sell imported foods containing vitamins and minerals, due to the use of fortified ingredients. Read more.

Sending Food Overseas Video

Check out our new Sending Food Overseas video – a reminder for businesses that exported products must be correctly made under the Food Act 2014 or Animal Products Act 1999. If you have local businesses exporting, or keen to export food, please remind them to know their requirements. If they have any export questions, they can email, phone 0800 00 83 33 or visit Exporting.

Winners New Zealand Food Awards

We’re excited to announce the winner for the Primary Sector Products Award category in the 2019 New Zealand Food Awards is Kiwi Quinoa Limited! Dan and Jacqui Cottrell's winning product is a 400gm pouch of wholegrain quinoa from a variety called ‘Jessie’. Read more.