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Food Safety Strategy
The New Zealand Food Safety team has started the consultation on its draft strategy. Many people have been involved in developing this strategy – including from food businesses, partners, industry representatives and consumers.
Your input is important and we encourage you to have a say (before 5pm, 27 September). Visit the consultation page for details.
Record Keeping
We have been hearing that some councils and verifiers are still concerned about food businesses using online data record keeping. We would like to reiterate online is fine!
There are many ways that a food business can keep records, including notebooks, email folders, spreadsheets, paper copies, online databases, photographs and whiteboards.
CPD Programme
In August we ran multiple live, online presentations to launch the Continuing Professional Development Programme. There will be additional session dates for October. So if you have not yet attended a presentation, please sign up.
Information is available in the Food Verifiers Academy. If you are not already registered for the Academy, please request access now via this link.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Allergen Labelling
Recall trends in New Zealand show an increase in consumer-level recalls involving allergens. It’s the responsibility of food importers to know what is in imported food and make sure it meets these labelling rules. Manufacturers are responsible for knowing what is in the ingredients they use and making sure the final food meets the same labelling rules. Read more.
Co-regulatory Priorities Panel Update
The Co-regulatory Priorities Panel thanks everyone who attended a roadshow or engaged with the first two dashboards sent out to all Territorial Authorities in the past two months. Feedback recieved during the roadshow, and via email, indicates that co-regulators seek more context, communication, and visibility. Read more.
EVENTS
New Zealand Food Safety Lecture Series
New Zealand Food Safety is hosting a series of four free lectures around the country. Sign up for the remaining lectures: Building confidence in New Zealand’s food system (Auckland, 23 September); Our growing influence on the world food stage (Wellington, 3 October); and New Zealanders benefiting from food technology (Christchurch, 7 October). To reserve your seat, register now on our website. Read more.
Remote Verification
On 19 July, New Zealand Food Safety launched Remote Verification for National Programme businesses. A number of verifiers who attended the Training and Assessment Centres held in Wellington in May are now recognised to provide a Remote Verification service. We will run two more Training and Assessment Centres in November and December. Nominations close 5pm, 4 October 2019. 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.
PUBLICATIONS
Know About Food Safety Publications?
This year we’ve provided significant edits to two publications in the final stages of production. It is the interests of public health and safety, and correct compliance to food safety legislation, that accurate information is provided in any publication that addresses New Zealand food safety rules. If you hear of a food safety publication in the making, not published by MPI, please let us know at 0800 00 83 33 or email foodactinfo@mpi.govt.nz Read more.
