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15 October 2021
Operating under COVID-19 Alert Levels
To help you support Food Act 2014-registered business operating under the COVID-19 Alert Levels 3-2, there is key information business owners/managers need to consider. For more information, visit the Alert Level 2 and 3 COVID-19 and food safety web pages. Read more.
Validation Checks on Verification Data
The roll-out of Titiro validation run checks on bulk uploaded verification data will now happen around 15 November 2021. These checks are to ensure that the structure/schema of the XML is valid. Read more.
Delivering QMS Assessments Remotely
The Quality Management Assessment Service has had to adjust to remote assessment during the COVID-19 response. Assessors are using GoToMeeting, Zoom, and Skype for the assessment of Food Act 2014 Recognised Agencies. Read more.
Have Your Say
Animal Products and Wine Regulatory Redesign
New Zealand Food Safety is in the next stage of the Animal Products and Wine Regulatory Redesign Project. This stage includes co-designing templates, tools, and guidance that the wine industry will use to comply with Wine Act 2003 rules, and the verification process that supports it. The consultation of six proposed stand-alone Animal Products Act 1999 Notices closes 11 November. Read more.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Celebrating CPD Performance
Thank you to every verifier, manager and agency who has helped make the Continuing Professional Development programme a success! New Zealand Food Safety would like to acknowledge all the agencies that completed the 2020-2021 requirements ahead of schedule. Read more.
Cut-off Date for 2021 My Food Plan Registrations
Territorial Authorities, please note that New Zealand Food Safety is fast approaching the cut-off date for 2021 My Food Plan (Custom Food Control Plan) registrations. If you know food businesses that need to register a My Food Plan this year, then we will need to have their completed applications by 19 November. Read more.
Update on Changes to Country of Origin Labelling
Earlier this year, new mandatory rules for Country of Origin labelling for certain foods were introduced under the Fair Trading Act 1986. The Regulations will now start on 12 February 2022. The rules do not apply to frozen foods until 12 May 2023. Read more.
Continuing Professional Development New Year
As we wrap up the 2020-2021 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) year, we’re excited to jump into a new CPD year. From 1 October, all verifiers will have access to a new My CPD Records page. You’ll still have access to your 2020-2021 records to review at any time, but the web page will look a little different. Read more.
Digital Food Control Plans and Record Keeping
To answer concerns from some councils and verifiers, we are all for digital Template Food Control Plans and record keeping to help a food business meet its food safety requirements, as long as there is easy access for both the business and the verifier. Read more.
Verification during COVID-19 Alert Levels
The Remote Check system of Food Act 2014 businesses is still in place. It's important that food verifications continue during the COVID-19 response to make sure food safety is managed properly. For more information, visit the Food Safety Academy’s Undertaking food business checks during COVID-19. Read more.
China Registration of Food Processing Premises
In April 2021, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) issued a new regulation requiring registration of overseas food processing premises whose products are exported to China. The Ministry for Primary Industries will facilitate GACC registration for New Zealand food manufacturing businesses. Read more.
What's New on the Web
Unscheduled and Unannounced Verifications
To assist Territorial Authorities (TAs), Registration Authorities and Verification Agencies on how to manage situations where an unscheduled or unannounced verification may be required, New Zealand Food Safety has published “Practice Note 12: Unscheduled and unannounced verifications". Read more.
New Food Waste Web Pages
The Ministry for Primary Industries has provided new online guidance about how businesses and consumers can help to safely reduce waste. The new food waste web pages are Reducing food waste at home and Reducing food waste: tips for businesses. Read more.
What's New in the Food Safety Academy
In case you missed it, there’s new guidance and learning opportunities for verifiers in the Food Safety Academy. This includes COVID-19 resources for verifiers, Registration Authorities, and Scope Change Checkers. Read more.
