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About the New Zealand Food Safety Authority
Contact us
For details on how to contact NZFSA, see the 'Contact us' page
History
NZFSA has been a stand-alone public service department since 1 July 2007. From July 2002-2007, we operated as a semi autonomous body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).
Prior to 1 July 2002, New Zealand had two separate regimes for food administration:
• the Ministry of Health administered the Food Act covering food sold on the domestic market, including imported food
• the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) administered other food-related legislation that was, for the most part, aimed at primary production, processing and exports.
NZFSA’s mandate is to protect all consumers of New Zealand food
On 15 September 2008, the New Zealand Cabinet agreed that:
"The New Zealand Food Safety Authority's mandate is to protect consumers by providing an effective food regulatory programme covering food produced and consumed in New Zealand as well as imports and exports of food products."
The new statutory mandate emphasises, “In pursuing this mandate the overriding priority will always be to protect consumers.”
NZFSA's mandate as of 15 September, 2008
Safe and suitable food is our priority
Ensuring a safe and suitable food supply is a public health priority for any country. In New Zealand nearly 80% of the food we produce is exported, providing just over half the country’s merchandise trade underpinning our economy.
Protecting consumers and our reputation as a supplier of safe and suitable food is essential.
New Zealand consumers expect our food supply, including imported foods, to be safe. Exporters and our trading partners need assurance that the food we produce meets the requirements of importing countries.
Establishing NZFSA in its new form and ensuring it continues to meet the expectations of government, consumers, industry, exporters, trading partners and other stakeholders is another priority.
Legislation NZFSA is accountable for
Profile of New Zealand Food Safety Authority
Our profile gives more information about us:
• our vision and mission
• more about our roles and how we fulfil them
• who we work with
• the legislation we administer
• our organisation structure and leadership.
Profile of New Zealand Food Safety Authority – December 2007
Profile of New Zealand Food Safety Authority – July 2007
The Slorach review of NZFSA’s food safety risk management framework
NZFSA uses a framework to assess risks in food. It helps us identify areas along the food chain where risks can be reduced by intervention, and what interventions might be suitable.
A review of the framework was completed in April 2008 by Dr Stuart Slorach, an independent international expert, to gauge its effectiveness and how NZFSA applies it as a tool for risk assessment.
In his review, Dr Slorach made a number of recommendations. The New Zealand Government’s response to these recommendations was agreed by Cabinet in September 2008.
NZFSA’s risk management framework
Review of NZFSA's risk management framework by Dr Slorach
The Government's response to the Slorach review
NZFSA's Risk Management Framework - Lay Summary
NZFSA Academy
The NZFSA Academy is a group of experts in a range of food safety-related areas. Academy members provide NZFSA with an independent source of external knowledge.
NZFSA Academy – pool of technical expertise and knowledge
Links to accountability documents and Minister for Food Safety
NZFSA’s accountability to parliament
Ngā Tikanga Māori – Māori food safety
New Zealand's food regulatory environment
NZFSA's role in the Carbon Neutral Public Service programme
Related links
Glossary and acronym definitions for terms we commonly use
Page updated 17 February 2009
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
68-86 Jervois Quay
PO Box 2835
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 2500
Fax: +64 4 894 2501
Contact
NZFSA about this page