For individuals
Mā te takitahi
Last reviewed:
Requirements for manufacturing yoghurt, ice cream, cheese, butter, liquid milk, and raw milk products
If you manufacture dairy products, there are food safety requirements you must meet. These templates and guidance for specific dairy products can help you follow the rules.
RMP updates
By 1 November 2023, all Risk Management Programme (RMP) operators were required to have updated their RMP. This was to align with the new regulations and notices introduced as a part of the Regulatory Redesign programme.
Animal Products Regulations 2021 – NZ Legislation
About Regulatory Redesign
Regulatory Redesign aims to make it easier for businesses operating under the Animal Products Act 1999 to find and comply with their requirements.
Redesign of animal products and wine regulations and notices
Dairy Products
If you want to manufacture specific types of dairy products, there are requirements you must meet. The requirements and the programme you choose depend on whether:
- your products are for sale only in New Zealand or Australia, or
- you want to export them to other countries.
Find guidance for your product
Introduction to dairy manufacturing
Dairy products (liquid milk, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter)
If you want to manufacture dairy products, the requirements depend on whether you operate under a food control plan (FCP) or a risk management programme (RMP).
Choosing the right food safety programme
If you choose to operate under an RMP, you can either:
- write your own RMP, or
- use an RMP template.
A template can be a more efficient way to make sure you meet the food safety requirements.
RMP template for dairy products (liquid milk, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter) [PDF, 2.9 MB]
If you make ice cream, you can also use the guidelines that have been developed together with the dairy industry. These guidelines are available on the New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association website. Contact them for details.
New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association
If you make cheese, there is also a food safety template that you could use.
Food safety template for cheesemakers [PDF, 1.1 MB]
Steps to the food safety template for cheesemakers
Guidance for specialist cheesemakers
If you manufacture specialist cheeses, you may want to join the Specialist Cheesemakers Association. The association gives additional information about manufacturing cheese and guidance for developing an RMP.
Membership application – New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association
Raw milk products
If you manufacture products made from raw milk (such as raw milk cheeses), the extra requirements you need to meet are in the Animal Products Notice: Raw Milk Products Specifications [PDF, 295 KB]
The code of practice can help you write an RMP that will meet the requirements of the notice.
Code of practice: Additional measures for raw milk products [PDF, 175 KB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about manufacturing requirements for dairy products, email info@mpi.govt.nz
