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Food safety rules

Find out the food safety rules you need to follow when making or selling food.

Use the My Food Rules tool to get the rules for growing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, importing, exporting, or selling food and beverage products for consumption by humans or animals.

After you answer the questions in the tool:

  • you’ll get the right information about the plan or programme you need to use
  • you’ll find out where to register your business or activity
  • we’ll tell you who can verify your business or activity

Select the 'Start' button to begin

Update – 3 December 2025

If you are a home-based baker making shelf-stable cakes only, and selling directly to consumers, you may be exempt from operating under a registered food control plan or national programme. Visit our guidance to learn more:

Guidance for food businesses on the Food Notice [PDF, 120KB]

There is a new version (S39-0005) of the Simply Safe and Suitable template Food Control Plan available as a PDF:

Version 39-00005 of the Simply Safe & Suitable Template FCP (colour A5) [PDF, 3.3MB]

A full update to ‘My Food Plan’ content delivered through the ‘My Food Rules’ tool is coming soon.

If you make biltong from red meat (beef, lamb, venison), you can find further guidance here:

Making biltong [PDF, 357KB]

About the My Food Rules tool

  • My Food Rules covers the Food Act 2014, Wine Act 2003, and Animal Products Act 1999. It also covers pet food manufacturers who may need to be registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997.
  • The tool will take up to 15 minutes to complete.
  • You will be asked a series of questions that identify what food business or activity you intend to operate, and how you plan to operate.
  • Most questions are multi-choice. You can select more than one option where appropriate.
  • There is a progress bar, so you know how far through the tool you are. If you see the bar jump back, don’t worry. It only means we need to ask you a few more questions to give you the right information.

Who to contact

info@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units