Welcome from Vincent Arbuckle, Deputy Director-General, NZFS 

Kia ora koutou,

I’m pleased to introduce the first issue of the Food Importer News, a regular communication channel between New Zealand Food Safety Haumaru Kai Aotearoa (NZFS) and food importers. 

This newsletter aims to keep registered food importers, agents, and food businesses updated on the rules for importing food under the Food Act 2014. Food Importer News is a valuable source of information for anyone who imports food for sale, including ingredients and alcohol.

At NZFS, we ensure that food, which is grown, produced, prepared, shared, and consumed across Aotearoa is safe and suitable for everyone. The food industry, including food importers, are responsible for producing safe and suitable food, and must demonstrate that they meet legal requirements.

New Zealanders enjoy a wide range of imported foods, and our food safety system has earned an excellent reputation around the world. During my tenure as NZFS’ Deputy Director-General, I have been extremely impressed by the hard work and dedication from the food industry to maintain the strong reputation of New Zealand’s food.

New Zealand’s imported food profile has changed significantly in the ten years since the Food Act was enacted in 2014. The number of countries New Zealand businesses import from has grown from 63 in 2003 to now more than 140. Increased types and origins of foods have created new risks that need to be identified and managed by NZFS. A ‘fit for purpose’ imported food system needs to be responsive to change and be able to identify and manage emerging risks. Food Importer News will provide information about system changes and emerging risks associated with imported foods that may affect you.

Thank you to all of you who play an important role in maintaining New Zealand’s strong food safety system.

Revised Importing Food Notice Published 

In April, New Zealand Food Safety published the revised Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale, which comes into effect on 1 August 2024.

This amendment includes new rules for importing frozen berries, as well as a minor change to importing canned bovine meat products from the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK).

The revised Notice:

• Changes the imported food category of frozen berries from Increased Regulatory Interest (IRI) food to High Regulatory Interest (HRI) food.
• Changes the scope of the new rules, with clearance required only for ready-to-eat frozen berries and specified frozen berry products. Frozen berries intended for further processing will not require food safety clearance.
• Lists the berries that are included under these rules and clarifies the products that are excluded.
• Introduces a new food safety clearance pathway for frozen berries, by providing evidence of third-party certificates of overseas manufacturers certified to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognised standard.
• Allows food safety clearance of canned bovine meat products from the EU or UK with evidence of an EU or UK identification mark.

The amended notice comes into effect 1 August 2024.

There will be a transition period from 1 August 2024 to 31 January 2026. Over this period importers can gain food safety clearance of frozen berries by using the current clearance pathway of consignment testing or the new pathway using third-party certificates.

From 1 February 2026 all frozen berry imports must comply with the new rules and can only gain food safety clearance by using third-party certificates or official certificates issued by the exporting country. 

Guidance will be provided on the new requirements, including how to submit your overseas manufacturer third-party certificates for checking, on the MPI website soon.

Reminder: High Regulatory Interest (HRI) foods must be held until clearance is received

High Regulatory Interest (HRI) foods need food safety clearance at the border. This is different from the biosecurity clearance. HRI foods include raw milk cheeses, beef products, tahini, spices, and peanuts. You can check which foods need food safety clearance here: Imported foods that require food safety clearance

When you import these foods, you must place them on hold until you receive food safety clearance. You must not sell or use the food whilst it is being held. You must store it separately from other foods and it must be clearly identifiable.

You will be notified of food safety clearance through a Food Authority/Clearance Certificate (FACC). Registered food importers are responsible for knowing which food is on hold and following the directions given by Food Safety Officers on the FACC.

Once you receive all your clearances (including biosecurity and customs), you are free to move and sell the food products. Selling food that is on hold awaiting food safety clearance is an offence under the Food Act 2014.

Recent recalls of imported food

Importers are responsible for ensuring the food they import and sell is safe and suitable. The majority of foods are safe, however issues occur from time to time, and occasionally needs to be recalled. Here are the latest recalls associated with imported food. These recalls are from the period 1 January 2024 to 1 June 2024.

• Prolife Foods Value Pack and Refill Pack Products Containing Peanuts
• Cau Tre brand Seafood Spring Rolls
• Belazu brand Vegan Basil Pesto

Two recalls were for undeclared allergens (egg and pine nut) and one was for unsafe food being sold without food safety clearance and that contained levels of aflatoxin above the allowable level.

Consumer-level food recalls annual reports

NZFS has published the first annual consumer level food recalls report for 2022 and 2023. The Consumer-level Food Recalls Annual Reports provide an overview of food safety issues that resulted in food businesses conducting food recalls. These annual reports are a new initiative by NZFS to share information on consumer-level recalls with food businesses, consumers, and the public. The reports will be published in April each year and will show trends in the food industry and highlight areas for consumer and industry awareness.

You can find the Food recalls annual reports on the MPI website.

Food Safety Insights, Emerging Risks and Current Issues bulletin 

NZFS has begun publishing a fortnightly report about overseas food recalls and events that might signal future food safety concerns. The report is available for food businesses and verifiers so they can consider and act on the information as needed.

NZFS has always monitored for new sources of risk, but this work represents a more deliberate effort to watch for signs of change. By dedicating a small resource to focusing on the future, NZFS aims to increase the ability to identify a risk early, as it is emerging.

To read the reports, go to the Food safety insights, emerging risks, and current issues bulletin page where you can also subscribe to receive notifications when each bulletin is published.

Resources for food importers

To help make your importing journey an easy one, NZFS have refreshed two information brochures about importing food into New Zealand. One brochure outlines the required steps before you start importing food into New Zealand and the other outlines the rules for importing food. Some of you may already be on your importing journey, while others of you may appreciate these brochures for clarity and assistance.

Download the resources on the MPI website or order these resources through Food Safety for Businesses – True North.

Food Importers survey

Earlier this year, NZFS commissioned The Navigators (research agency) to conduct research to better understand food importers’ knowledge of food safety importing requirements, and how we can communicate better with food importers. 

If you were a registered importer, you would have received an email to participate in an online survey. In addition, three focus groups were conducted to further expand on the findings from the survey.

Key research insights found that importers had positive feedback on NZFS’s input into New Zealand’s strong food safety record. However, many importers were unaware or uncertain of food safety importing requirements. Almost half (47 percent) of importers said they do not completely understand the simulated recall or safety and suitability assessment requirements.

Exacerbating the challenge, two-thirds (65 percent) of importers stated that it is not easy to find out about the food importing requirements. To increase food safety importing compliance, importers emphasised the need for improved information, more streamlined processes, and adequate support to make it easier to do so.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the survey and focus groups. Your feedback has been greatly appreciated and already helped to inform the information in this newsletter and make relevant updates to the importing information brochures and the MPI importing webpages. Work is underway to analyse the identified pathways for improvement of NZFS’ engagement with importers and inform next priority areas of work.

Recent Food Safety News

Read recent media releases from NZFS:

• Tahini recalled due to possible presence of Salmonella (7 July 2024)
• Morinaga baby biscuits recalled due to possible animal droppings (2 July 2024)
• Liquor importer and distributor fined $244,000 for trying to sell product without legitimate bottles labels (17 June 2024)
• World Food Safety Day – Prepare for the unexpected (7 June 2024)
• Strong results for Health Star Rating in new consumer survey (6 June 2024)
• Food recall alerts help you keep safe (4 June 2024
• Pams plant-based creamy pasta bake recalled (14 May 2024)
• Recalled peanuts mistakenly released for sale (6 May 2024)
• New reports highlight food recall system at work (1 May 2024)
• New import requirements for frozen berries a win-win for consumers and food importers (23 April 2024
• Recall of peanut products due to aflatoxin above acceptable levels (5 April 2024)
• Plain English allergen labelling good news for consumers (23 Feb 2024)

You can find MPI News on the MPI website.

Contact Us

If you know someone who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, please forward the subscribe here link to join the mailing list.

For food safety importing queries under the Food Act, please email us at import.systems@mpi.govt.nz 

Visit our MPI website on www.mpi.govt.nz/import/food/