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What are processed foods?

Processed foods include any foods that have been modified from their fresh or whole state. Processed food is also known as composite or multi-ingredient food.

Food can be processed by, for example:

  • cooking
  • preserving
  • blending
  • blast freezing (frozen).

Processed foods also include any product that has multiple ingredients.

Examples of processed food include:

  • biscuits
  • chocolate
  • cereals
  • olive oil
  • ready-to-eat meals
  • non-alcoholic beverages
  • alcoholic beverages (not including wine, mead, or cider).

Steps to exporting processed food

The requirements differ between markets and depend on the ingredients used. To export, you must meet all:

1. Check domestic requirements for your product

Manufacturers of processed food must operate under a food control plan or a national programme.

Find out about food control plans and national programmes

Your processed food product needs to be sourced from premises that are registered. This means they have been approved by MPI. You can check our register to see if a premise is already listed.

Check what premises are registered

Ingredients in your product need to meet compositional requirements. This includes things like permitted levels of food additives and levels of certain ingredients. Your product also needs to meet labelling requirements.

Find our guidance on labelling and composition of food and drink sold in NZ

Labelling guides

Processed food containing animal products

Note that manufacturers who handle animal products may need to operate under a risk management programme (RMP).

Find out about RMPs

2. Check destination market requirements

Contact an importing agent of the country you're exporting to early to check you are meeting all your requirements. Importing agents can advise on specific requirements such as labelling or if you need an import permit. 

Also check the OMAR (overseas market access requirements) page of your destination country. See if there are specific requirement documents for processed food products.

Products containing animal ingredients

If a food product contains ingredients from an animal, you may need an export certificate. This applies to any ingredients derived from animals such as meat, dairy, or honey.

The Animal Products OMAR for your destination country will tell you what you need. Some markets require a certificate if the proportion of animal product is over a certain percentage. If your OMAR doesn't specify requirements for certification, check with your importer.

Search for an OMAR

Find out about getting an export certificate

Free sale certificates

Some destination markets may ask for a free sale certificate (FSC). An FSC states that food made in New Zealand is safe and suitable for consumption.

Your importer can advise if you need an FSC.

Find out more about FSCs

Products containing multiple ingredients

You'll need to consider every ingredient in your product to export. If your product contains animal products, you will need to meet overseas market access requirements. If your product contains plant products, you will need to meet phytosanitary requirements. Each ingredient will need to meet the requirements in the OMAR or phytosanitary requirements. For example, a lasagne that contains beef and dairy might need certification for each ingredient.

If an importing market wants to know how you're meeting their requirements

Sometimes, when you're exporting a processed food, your importer might ask how you are ensuring that your product is safe and suitable for consumption.

Exporters may find it helpful to use this letter. It explains how the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sets and administers the standards and regulations for New Zealand's food safety systems.

Letter to facilitate access for processed food [PDF, 126 KB]

Who to contact

If you have questions about exporting processed food:

MPI business units