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On this page:
- Advice for new food businesses
- Detailed guidance for new food businesses
- Video for new food businesses
- Importing and exporting food
- Changing, closing, or selling a food business
Advice for new food businesses
If you're thinking of making or selling food, this information will help you understand the requirements.
- What to consider before you start a food business [PDF, 138 KB]
- People you may need to contact when starting a food business [PDF, 241 KB]
- Industry help for new food businesses [PDF, 285 KB]
- Getting started making and selling food [PDF, 169 KB]
- Do you want to make and sell food? [PDF, 346 KB]
- Thinking of starting a new food business?
Detailed guidance for new food businesses
The notebook is a detailed, step-by-step guide for new food businesses. It includes information on:
- where to find out which food rules apply to a type of business
- creating a food control plan or national programme
- finding a verifier.
The notebook – for businesses making and selling food [PDF, 999 KB]
Video: Steps to starting a food business (1:06)
Transcript – show/hide
[Video begins. During the video, the narrator speaks while shots of food being prepared in a commercial kitchen are shown.]
Narrator: "Starting a new food business is exciting. MPI has some steps for starting your business and making food in a safe and suitable way."
"Step 1: Rules
"There are certain rules you must follow depending on the food you make and sell. We have these rules to stop people getting sick or even dying.
"Step 2: Plan
"You then need to create a plan for how you will make food safely. Depending on the type of food you make, you will need to work under either a Food Control Plan or a National Programme.
"Step 3: Engage your expert
"Once you’re up and running, you will need to get checked. Find or choose your expert. You need to have confirmed who will check your business before you register.
"Step 4: Register
"Your food business needs to be registered before you start selling food. You will need to register with MPI or your local council.
"For more info visit our website."
[The following text appears on the screen: www.mpi.govt.nz/nzfoodsafety. The logo appears for: 'New Zealand Food Safety – Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua']
[Video ends]
Importing and exporting food
Thinking of starting to import food as a business? [PDF, 654 KB]
Sending food overseas as a business [PDF, 284 KB]
Sending food overseas as a business (Hindi and Chinese)
Hindi translation about sending food overseas as a business [PDF, 385 KB]
Simplified Chinese translation about sending food overseas as a business [PDF, 256 KB]
Changing, closing, or selling a food business
If you want to change or grow your business, our flow chart can help you decide what to do.
Change or grow your business [PDF, 182 KB]
People planning to change their business need to inform their registration authority. This will either be New Zealand Food Safety or their local council.
List of local councils – Local Councils NZ
If you're using a custom food control plan (including a My Food Plan), refer to Change your custom FCP
If you want to close or sell your business, check our fact sheet.
Closing or selling your business [PDF, 181 KB]
Wineries selling food
Selling food at cellar door tastings [PDF, 123 KB]
Do you have suggestions for new topics?
Tell us if you:
- want a new topic added to this page
- want more information on an existing topic
- have some insights on gaps in our information.
Email your suggestions to foodactinfo@mpi.govt.nz
