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Have your say on food safety rules
For anyone who missed it last week, MPI is consulting on changes to regulations and notices under the Food Act. The changes come as a result of monitoring and evaluating the new law and seeing where improvements are needed.
Go to the MPI website to have your say. Please also help us spread the word to local food businesses.
Full details are on the MPI website. People can respond in a number of ways, including by taking a short survey.
We've also created a video that you can share.
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New web content - verification
The web page 'working as a verifier' has recently been updated.
The new web content provides more detail on what's expected from a verification under the new law. It includes information on deciding what to check, giving outcomes, and escalating to enforcement.
A more detailed guidance document is still to come. In the meantime, please check out the web content and give us feedback. We'd like to hear about anything that's still unclear or you need more information on.
See working as a verifier
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How much does food regulation cost businesses?
MPI is conducting a survey to find out how much it costs businesses to comply with food safety regulation. This survey will help us understand how much businesses spend now, and monitor the effect of the new law.
Costs really matter to businesses, so this survey is really important. Please help us get as many businesses as possible to take it. Some of you will also receive an email with information to pass on to businesses.
Pass on the survey link or share this Facebook post.
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How can we provide fair and affordable verification services?
MPI is holding a workshop to consider how we can provide fair verification services throughout New Zealand. We'd like to meet co-regulators to discuss the problems that food businesses are facing, and find workable solutions. We're particularly keen to meet with verifiers from more remote locations and decision makers who can implement solutions.
The workshop will be held on 22 November, 10am - 4pm, in Wellington. Please email FoodAct.verification@mpi.govt.nz by 8 November if you'd like to attend (and let us know about any dietary requirements).
Spaces are limited, and we will select attendees to ensure an even mixture from councils, third party agencies and MPI. If travel costs are a barrier, contact us to discuss some possible options.
If you can't attend the workshop, but you would like to share your thoughts, we've also posted a discussion on the new food act regulators forum on LinkedIn.
If you haven't already, join the group
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Labelling guide
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on our new labelling guidance. Based on this feedback, we've made some minor amendments. The guide is now final and available on the MPI website.
Businesses and others have been really positive about the guide, and told us that it has made labelling easier to understand.
Find the labelling guide here.
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What's next for the redesign?
After the successful workshop, we're moving forward with the 'know, do, show' concept, which was universally liked by verifiers and food businesses. We've also been creating a redesigned structure for whole template, which fits more closely with the daily activities of a food business (e.g. opening, prepping, cooking, serving, closing). In the next couple of months, we are hoping to have people try out the new template in their business, and be verified on it. If anyone would like to volunteer to take part in these trials, let us know. Contact sarah.cockburn@mpi.govt.nz
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Food Act workshops
As always, upcoming Food Act Workshops can be found here
Food Act Workshops
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We want to make sure this newsletter gives you the information you need to do your job. If there's anything specific you'd like to see addressed in this newsletter, please let us know, and we'll try our best to include it! Contact Naomi - naomi.landau@mpi.govt.nz
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