The Co-regulatory Priorities Panel has finalised a plan to address the three Food Act priorities, which were emailed to Territorial Authority regulatory managers on 4 March 2021. The Panel identified the tasks that are needed to address each priority area and grouped these into three projects. The Systems Project focuses on making improvements to Titiro. The Behaviour Project focuses on influencing verifiers to take a holistic approach to verification. The Guidance Project will identify areas of best practice.  Read more. 

Menu Labelling in Australia and New Zealand 

Feedback is currently being sought for the “Consultation Regulation Impact Statement: Policy Guidance: Menu labelling in Australia and New Zealand” paper. It is important that any bi-national approach to menu labelling is fit-for-purpose for both Australia and New Zealand. Submissions for this consultation close on 3 June 2021. Read more.

Organic Products Regulations Consultations 

The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking feedback on proposals for regulating organic businesses in the primary sector. Submissions can be provided in writing, by completing the online survey, or at one of the public workshops or hui. Submissions close 8 June 2021. Read more.

Mussels and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

New Zealand Food Safety is reminding people with low immunity (especially if they are pregnant or elderly) to avoid eating raw or undercooked mussels. We’re urging people to stay safe from Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning by cooking mussels thoroughly before eating. Read more.

Contract for Verification Services 

A number of councils and third-party agencies have various arrangements for the provision of verification services. All verifiers must operate under a Quality Management System, if they wish to verify National Programmes or custom Food Control Plans. There are options for contracted verifiers to consider. Read more.

Food Importer Registration 

As part of New Zealand Food Safety’s improvements to the food safety system, from 30 June 2021, there will be an automatic check of Food Importer registrations for all consignments intended as food for sale. Importers will need to have a valid registration, and complete their Intended Use declarations for all consignments of food, drinks, and ingredients. Read more.

Systems Project Update: Titiro

The Co-regulatory Priorities Panel is making improvements to Titiro as part of the Systems Project. Starting in June, Titiro will run a number of validation checks on bulk uploaded verification data to ensure the structure/schema of the XML is valid. All five Mandatory Topics will require an assessment outcome. Read more. 

Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme 

A New Zealand Food Safety team has been working on a way to verify schools and kura taking part in the Ka Ora, Ka Ako, Healthy School Lunches Programme. We are seeking expressions of interest from verifiers interested in taking part in training to become Ka Ora, Ka Ako verifiers. Read more.

Food Safety During Droughts and Heat Waves 

New guidance on Food Safety during Droughts and Heat Waves has been published in Food safety in natural disasters and emergencies. This guidance will help to identify what actions to take to help reduce the chances of something going wrong at a food business during drought, hot weather or heat waves. Read more.

New Zealand Food Awards Close 31 May 

Please encourage your interested businesses to enter the 2021 New Zealand Food Awards, that celebrate Kiwi food and beverage innovation. New Zealand Food Safety is proud to sponsor the 2021 NZ Food Awards, through the Food Safety Culture and Primary Sector Awards. Entries are welcome until 31 May. Read more.

Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award 

Do you know of an individual, team or organisation who has innovated, developed, or inspired, a significant improvement to food safety in New Zealand? If so, please get your entries in for the 2021 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, by 4 June 2021. Self-nominations are also welcome. Read more.

Talking Food Safety at NZIFST Conference 

Are you attending the 2021 New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Conference, in Palmerston North, 6-8 July? New Zealand Food Safety is proud to sponsor the 2021 Conference "Food – with care (Kai – me te whakaaro nui)". If you’re at the Conference, come and talk to us about microbiology, toxicology, verification, labelling, composition, and more. Read more.