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Food control plan or national programme?
You'll need to know if you will use a food control plan or a national programme before you register your business. Use the 'My Food Rules' tool to find out.
Where to register your business
This table shows which organisation you need to register with. It depends on your plan or programme, the type of business you run, and the location of your business.
| Type of plan or programme | Where your business is based | Who to register with |
|---|---|---|
|
National programme (any sector) |
Based in one local council area, operating a mobile food business, or selling online. | Local council |
|
National programme (any sector) |
Based in more than one local council area | You can either register each site with the local council in each area, or register all sites under one registration with MPI. |
|
Template food control plan – for a business primarily engaged in food service or food retail |
Based in one local council area, operating a mobile food business, or selling online. | Local council |
|
Template food control plan – for a business primarily engaged in food service or food retail |
Based in more than one local council area | You can either register each site with the local council in each area, or register all sites under one registration with MPI. |
|
Custom food control plan |
Anywhere | MPI |
If registering with your local council, contact them for application forms and details of how to register.
Find contact details for your local council – Local Government New Zealand
If registering with MPI, details of how to register, along with application forms, are on these pages:
- Steps for National Programme 1
- Steps for National Programme 2
- Steps for National Programme 3
- Steps to a Template Food Control Plan
- Steps to a Custom Food Control Plan
Getting checked or verified
All food businesses need to get checked to make sure they are selling safe and suitable food. This is called verification. You will be checked by someone from your local council or an independent verifier.
How often you get checked will depend on whether you are a high or low-risk business. It will also depend on how well you manage food safety. Those who are doing well, will be checked less frequently.
A verifier will check to make sure you are following good food safety practices and keeping records. For example, the focus will not be on your kitchen looking a certain way, but on making sure you are doing the most important things to keep food safe.
How to find a verifier
If you are operating under a national programme or a custom food control plan (including a My Food Plan), you will need to contact a verifier before you register, and get a letter from them to include with your application.
Independent verifiers and local councils set their own fees. You should get some quotes to find out how much it will cost.
Our guide will tell you how long a typical verification takes and how much it is likely to cost.
Verification guide: How long does verification take? [PDF, 258 KB]
