Update – 30 June 2016
In November 2015, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) consulted on notices issued under the Food Act 2014. The notices outline the practical areas of implementation of the Food Act 2014.
The consultation closed on 6 November 2015 and the Food Act Notices were released in December 2015.
Food Act requirements - including notices
Summary of submissions received by MPI on Proposals for notices under the Food Act 2014 [PDF, 664 KB]
Your views sought
The Food Act came into force in March 2016. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) consulted on the regulations early in 2015. This consultation was another chance for food businesses and providers to have their say about how the Food Act 2014 will work in practice.
The proposed notices apply to all businesses that need to operate under a food control plan or a national programme.
This consultation asked for feedback on practical areas of implementation, including:
- templates for creating food control plans
- requirements for ensuring food is safe and suitable
- requirements for importers
- details about who will evaluate and verify businesses under the Act.
It was an opportunity for food businesses, and anyone who works with them, to provide feedback on proposals before they become law. Your feedback helped us assess whether we needed to amend any of these proposals to better meet your needs.
What was proposed?
Your feedback was invited on 4 proposed notices:
1. Components for the template food control plan
Businesses that are high risk from a food safety point of view are required to operate under a food control plan (FCP). This includes food service businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, and some food retailers, such as supermarkets or butchers. The proposed Notice enables these businesses to meet this requirement by using a template issued by MPI.
2. Food control plans and national programmes
This notice sets requirements for:
- all national programme operators receiving, storing, handling, and transporting readily perishable food
- those using self-supplied water in places where food is manufactured or processed
- amending food control plans
- national programme sectors preparing and serving readily perishable food (like chicken or ground meat)
3. Recognised agencies and persons
This Notice sets out technical competencies for evaluators and verifiers under the Food Act 2014. It also details requirements relating to the deeming of recognised agencies and persons.
4. Imported food and importers
This Notice sets requirements for how importers must register, foods that are of high regulatory interest, and approved laboratories for testing imported food.
Consultation documents
Food Act Notices consultation document - September 2015 [PDF, 156 KB]
Approved Template Food Control Plan for Schedule 1 businesses - Draft Food Notice [PDF, 217 KB]
Food Control Plan – Section A (combined) [PDF, 2 MB]
Serve Safe [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Care Safe [PDF, 628 KB]
Baking Safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Meat Safe [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Fish Safe [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Deli Safe [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Produce Safe [PDF, 714 KB]
Diary [PDF, 719 KB]
Food control plans and national programmes - Draft Food Notice [PDF, 317 KB]
Recognised persons and agencies - Draft Food Notice [PDF, 327 KB]
Importing food - Draft Food Notice [PDF, 336 KB]
How to make a submission
The deadline for all submissions was 5pm on Friday 6 November 2015.
Submissions could be emailed to foodact2014@mpi.govt.nz.
You could also post your submission to:
Consultation: Proposals for notices under the Food Act 2014
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6104
If delivering by hand, MPI's street address is Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington.
Information to include in your submission
Make sure your submission includes:
- the title of this consultation: 'Proposals for notices under the Food Act 2014'
- your name and title
- your organisation's name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation)
- your contact details (phone number, address and email)
- the notice title or section of the notice your comments are referring to.
After the consultation has closed, we took into account all submissions and amended the proposed notices as necessary. The notices were then issued by the MPI chief executive before 1 March 2016. A summary of submissions was sent to all submitters and posted on this website.
Submissions are public information
Note, that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.
Find out more
Find out what new food safety rules mean for you with our tool, My food rules
Read more about the Food Act 2014
Outcomes of the earlier consultation on Food Act regulations
