- Print Friendly - Help

NZFSA Profile – July 2007

Our July 2007 profile gives an overview of our organisation. It includes our roles, the legislation we administer, and our organisation structure. This profile was revised in December 2007.

Profile of New Zealand Food Safety Authority – December 2007

The July 2007 profile was published as a printed booklet. You can download this page in PDF format or read it online below.

View this page as a brochure in PDF format [PDF: 870K, 16 pages]

Our Vision:

A world leading food regulatory programme that has the confidence of all stakeholders.

Our Mission:

To protect consumers and enhance New Zealand’s position as a trusted supplier of food.

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 export earnings and underpinning our economy. Protecting consumers and our reputation as a supplier of safe and suitable food is an imperative.

From 1 July 2007, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) will operate as a stand-alone Public Service department to:

• protect and promote public health

• facilitate access to markets for our food and food-related exports.

New Zealand consumers expect our food supply 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 for 2007/2008. Safe and suitable food is our priority.

Protecting consumers of New Zealand food

NZFSA is committed to protecting consumers of New Zealand food, no matter where in the world they may be. It is NZFSA’s role to ensure that the food we produce in New Zealand is safe, suitable and meets all requirements.

To do this we:

• provide the Minister for Food Safety with policy advice on food and food-related issues

• set standards relating to food safety and suitability, as required by legislation and our trading partners

• implement programmes that ensure all safety and suitability requirements are met

• enforce legislative requirements

• provide official assurances to importing countries

• enhance New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity through trade and commerce in food and food-related products

• provide effective communication with our stakeholders and advice on safe, suitable and nutritious food for our consumers.

Maintaining and enhancing our overseas trade

New Zealand food is exported to some of the world’s most demanding markets. Governments in these markets require assurance from New Zealand that their requirements for food and food-related products have been met. NZFSA provides these assurances, attesting to the safety and suitability of our exports, on behalf of the New Zealand Government.

But our role goes further than that. For a number of years, our approach has been to seek the most favourable conditions for New Zealand exporters and to then ensure we have in place sound verification and certification systems. With these systems in place NZFSA can provide credible and trusted assurances that a country’s market access conditions have been met.

Our market access strategy works on two levels; bilaterally, in direct negotiations with importing countries; and multilaterally, through the various international standard-setting organisations.

In bilateral negotiations we seek to agree access conditions with importing countries that will allow New Zealand companies to export in the most cost-effective way with minimum compliance costs to meet requirements.

In multilateral organisations, such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (the standard-setting agency for trade in food) and the OIE (the World Organisation for Animal Health) we have taken a leadership role and work strategically to ensure that international standards set for trade in food and food-related products are technically justified and based on sound science and risk assessment.

This approach ensures that barriers to market access are reduced and the international standards that form the bottom line in trade provide the most favourable conditions for New Zealand exports.

Together, these approaches are helping to ensure that our food products are welcome in markets everywhere.

Ensuring that New Zealand food products are welcome in markets everywhere.

Outcomes and strategic framework

In pursuing each of these outcomes, NZFSA remains well connected to its stakeholders in the private and public sectors, domestically and internationally.

Our role as a regulator

Regulatory programmes that ensure the safety and suitability of food and food-related products are becoming increasingly important in a world where international trade is growing rapidly and becoming truly global. As well, food production technologies and consumption patterns are constantly changing. Added to this:

• Consumers’ attitudes to food are changing

• The needs and expectations of the food industry are evolving

• The risks presented are altering

• The requirements of our international trading partners are changing

• Science and knowledge continue to improve.

Significant trends are being seen in consumer and industry expectations and New Zealand can expect to see the impact of these over the next few years.

For NZFSA these increasing consumer concerns must be considered and, in addition, food risks we wouldn’t have imagined even five years ago must be managed. Food tampering, food security and bio-terrorism have become potential risks that overseas and New Zealand food producers, regulators and exporters must factor into their food safety programmes.

Into this environment comes the need for processes and procedures that bring the whole regulatory system together into an efficient, effective, consistent and fair food safety programme.

Since its inception in 2002 NZFSA has embarked on three major reviews:

The Domestic Food Review was instigated to update and streamline New Zealand’s entire decades-old food regulatory programme to ensure the country’s vital food sector is positioned to deal with the significant growth expected over the next 20 years. In October 2006 Government approved a package of recommendations currently being drafted into new legislation – the Food Bill – which is set to be implemented from July 2008.

The Imported Foods Review has resulted in a new programme for importing food that manages food safety issues at the appropriate point in the food chain to ensure controls are effective, efficient and based on sound science. It will come into effect in July 2008.

The Wild Foods Review evaluated wild food in New Zealand to assess the potential risks to public health. The ultimate aim is to provide information about those risks, so that hunters and gatherers can make safe decisions about the wild foods they eat.

NZFSA believes these programmes will meet New Zealand’s needs for the foreseeable future. They will take account of rapidly shifting consumer behaviour and expectations, changing food production and distribution systems, and new and emerging pathogens and other risks.

Taking a risk-based approach

NZFSA takes a risk-based approach to food safety that allows it to identify, evaluate and manage the risks in food.

NZFSA’s risk management framework ensures a regulatory response that is appropriate to the level of risk and provides a consistent and transparent way of ensuring the safety and suitability of all food sold domestically and exported.

It sets out a process that takes the results of risk assessments and identifies appropriate options to manage those risks, thereby protecting consumers’ health and promoting fair trade practices.

The framework underpins every area of NZFSA’s work. It is a four-step procedure which involves:

1. Identifying a specific food safety problem and evaluating the risks presented.

2. Assessing the risk and the management options available and deciding on the appropriate level of consumer protection to be provided.

3. Implementing the risk management decision.

4. Monitoring and review – analysing data from appropriate points in the ‘farm to fork’ continuum to service ongoing risk assessment and risk management activities.

5. Communicating with stakeholders and other affected parties throughout the process.

When a hazard becomes a risk

NZFSA risk managers rely on risk assessments to make decisions on food controls. Having identified which hazards are risks, an assessment allows NZFSA to prioritise its work in this area so that those risks of most concern are tackled first.

Risk assessment involves looking at the probability of a particular foodborne illness occurring and the severity of that illness.

For instance campylobacteriosis is not usually severe, but it is the most frequently reported gastrointestinal infection in New Zealand, so the probability that it will occur is high. This ranks it high on NZFSA’s list of priorities.

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes is relatively uncommon but the consequences – including miscarriage and stillbirth – are severe, so it too ranks highly.

In contrast, Salmonella Enteriditis is a big problem in Britain and the United States. It is one of the few Salmonella strains carried by poultry that can transfer from the shell to the middle of the egg and grow inside it. However, New Zealand does not have that particular strain and so the probability of foodborne illness occurring as a result of Salmonella Enteriditis ranks it low on NZFSA’s list of priorities.

Meeting stakeholder needs

To achieve its key aims – to protect consumers and facilitate overseas trade – NZFSA engages with all stakeholder groups and has access to effective communication channels for advice and expertise. These include:

• Officials’ Committee on Food Safety (OCFS) provides a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to food safety and related issues. Chaired by NZFSA, the committee also includes the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry for Economic Development, Treasury, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

• NZFSA Academy was set up to enhance NZFSA’s access to a range of technical expertise and knowledge and supplement the skills available within the organisation. It ensures that the best advice and help is available when specific issues arise, or in emergency situations. Its members are drawn from various related fields including epidemiology, nutrition, microbiology, primary production, irradiation, toxicology, medical science, food processing and public health. The Academy is an important interface with the scientific and academic community and can alert NZFSA to emerging issues within its own fields. It meets with NZFSA staff twice yearly, or as issues arise.

• Consumers’ Forum on Food Safety gives consumers an opportunity to become involved in New Zealand’s food safety regulatory programme. Hosted primarily by NZFSA, the forum normally meets three or four times a year. Consumers attending the forums represent national bodies that are interested in the effects of food and food safety on the health and welfare of New Zealanders.

• Industry groups facilitate the development of food safety standards affecting specific sectors. The groups work with NZFSA either as partners, members, or with NZFSA leading the group. They include Seafood Standards Council, Meat Industry Steering Group, Dairy Products Safety Advisory Council (DPSAC), Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Advisory Council (AVMAC), Plants Market Access Council (PMAC), Poultry Industry Standards Council (PISC), Pet Food Industry Standards Council, Ostrich and Emu Standards Council, Wine Sector Council.

• The Imported Food Advisory Forum promotes communication and consultation between NZFSA and participants in the imported food sector in relation to NZFSA’s administration of the Food Act, the Food Standards Code and other business as required. It facilitates discussion between businesses that import food or sell imported food in New Zealand or provide support services to importers, NZFSA and regulated parties. Membership is made up of selected industry organisations and consumer representatives.

• NZFSA’s community extension programme works to promote an awareness of food safety and nutrition among Maori and Pacific Island groups. As part of the programme NZFSA has produced guidance on handling food in the home and when catering for large community or social functions in the form of leaflets, brochures and DVDs. It has also developed a Maori strategy to help support a consistent approach to food safety as it affects Maori.

NZFSA also enjoys working relationships with other New Zealand government agencies, particularly those with an interest in food, or responsibilities for working to improve the health of New Zealanders, or for commerce and trade.

These include:

• Ministry of Health

• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Ministry of Economic Development

• Ministry of Consumer Affairs

• Environmental Risk Management Authority.

NZFSA also has close relationships with local authorities (as fellow regulators) and district health boards (as deliverers of services to NZFSA on contract). It also works with Treasury, State Services Commission and the Office of the Auditor General.

Our links with Food Standards Australia New Zealand

To fulfil its mandate to protect consumers, NZFSA works alongside Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The two agencies share responsibilities for administering New Zealand’s food regulatory environment.

In New Zealand, NZFSA is responsible for:

• developing and implementing food regulations for food safety, primary production and maximum residue levels for agricultural and veterinary chemicals

• policy advice to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council

• input into the development of food composition and labelling standards

• representing New Zealand in international, regional and bilateral negotiations on food safety and food standards

• publishing the Food Standards Code and interpretative guides

• regulation of imported and exported food

• implementing and enforcing the Joint Food Standards Code and all food safety regulations

• managing food emergencies

• facilitating access to overseas markets.

In New Zealand, FSANZ is responsible for:

• food standards addressing composition, labelling, some chemical and microbiological hazards and pre-market assessment of novel foods and novel food production technologies (eg, genetically modified/irradiated foods)

• scientific and technical advice to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council

• publication of the Food Standards Code and interpretative guides

• representing Australia in international, regional and bilateral negotiations on food standards

• conducting research and surveys relevant to food standards.

NZFSA and FSANZ are jointly responsible for:

• protection of public health and safety

• consumer and industry education on food standards issues

• shared information on food emergencies and surveillance.

International links

As part of its market access strategy NZFSA maintains links with many international organisations that deal with food and related standards. It also represents New Zealand at various international food safety forums which play a key role in developing food safety standards. These international bodies include:

Multilateral agencies

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international agency that develops food standards designed to protect the health of consumers and promote fair practices in food trade. It accomplishes its work through committees hosted by member governments. At present, about 180 countries are members of the CAC.

World Trade Organisation is the only global international organisation that deals with rules of trade between nations. NZFSA is a signatory to its provisions, including the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement and the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. (Sanitary and phytosanitary measures are any requirement, procedure, criteria or system, either alone or in combination, that are applied to protect human health from foodborne hazards.)

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) develops rules that member countries can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens, without setting up unjustified sanitary barriers.

Quadrilateral Group (known as the Quads) is made up of food safety experts from Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. The Quads provides a forum for discussing emerging issues and international best practice standards as they affect the four countries, and offers support for shared interests at Codex sessions.

Relationships with other food safety regulators

NZFSA is developing and maintaining strong links with other leading food regulatory agencies around the world, including the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (UKFSA), the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on issues which may have a bearing on New Zealand. This collaboration includes joint studies, incident response and communications.

In September 2006 NZFSA and the New South Wales Food Authority (NSWFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation on a range of food safety and regulatory issues. Areas of collaboration include policy development, standards and systems, incident response, food science, communications and compliance and enforcement.

The legislation we administer

Food-related legislation in New Zealand has two main aims – to protect public health and facilitate access to overseas markets. NZFSA administers legislation covering:

• food for sale in New Zealand (1981 Food Act and 1974 Food Hygiene Regulations. These will be replaced in July 2008 by a new Food Act)

• primary processing of animal products and official assurances related to their export (Animal Products Act)

• controls surrounding registration and use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act)

• the production and export of wine (Wine Act and New Zealand Grape Wine Export Eligibility Requirements).

There is no specific legislation covering the production or export of plant or organic products. NZFSA is, however, involved in the Official Organic Assurance Programme and human health assurances for the export of plant products.

NZFSA investigates breaches of this legislation, carries out compliance audits and assists with overseas audits of New Zealand’s food processing systems.

New Food Bill: Working smarter, not harder

From July 2008 the 1981 Food Act and the 1974 Food Hygiene Regulations are to be replaced by a new Food Act which is being developed as a result of the Domestic Food Review. The new Act will modernise and streamline New Zealand’s food laws, position our food industry for the future and work to stem the rise in foodborne illnesses.

The new legislation will clarify the roles and responsibilities of regulators, such as public health units and local authorities, and will see food regulation move from an inspection-based system to a risk-based approach. It will place responsibility for food safety on the person in charge of the food operation.

NZFSA will continue to produce standards and codes of practice, and define the outcomes it requires. Independent verifiers will audit compliance. The transition period from the old regulation to the new is likely to take five years, and be complete in 2013.

NZFSA structure

In July 2007 Government announced the separation of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), thereby creating a new Public Service department administering food safety.

NZFSA has retained its key aims of protecting and promoting public health and safety in relation to food and food-related products, and developing economic opportunities by facilitating access to international markets for these products.

The separation from MAF has resulted in more effective relationships for NZFSA and an agency with a clear focus on food safety issues for New Zealanders.

NZFSA is made up of several business groups under the leadership of an Acting Chief Executive.

The Communications and Infrastructure group ensures that NZFSA communicates and consults effectively with all stakeholders and meets their needs for timely, accurate and relevant information. It also ensures that NZFSA has the appropriate human resources, information management, planning and performance systems, and other infrastructure necessary to operate efficiently and effectively. Director: Sandra Daly

The Policy group provides policy advice and legal support for NZFSA’s review, development, reform, implementation and evaluation of legislation. It is also New Zealand’s point of contact with Codex, the international food standards-setting agency. Director: Carole Inkster

The Joint Food Standards group provides expert technical advice relating to labelling and composition of foods and ‘whole of government’ comments on the work for New Zealand by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), as well as coordinating with the Science group on research for standards development programmes. The group also provides advice in New Zealand on the joint Food Standards Code and relevant New Zealand regulations. Director: Carole Inkster

The New Zealand Standards group develops, implements, evaluates and reviews safety and suitability standards for production, processing, importation, transportation, storage and sale of food and food-related products in New Zealand. It also develops and co-ordinates implementation of standards, systems and processes for response to events and emergencies. Director: to be appointed

The Export Standards group develops, implements, evaluates and reviews export standards for food and food-related products in New Zealand. It also administers the relevant export components of the APA and Wine acts, manages export programmes that are not covered by legislation and manages all official assurances given for New Zealand food and food-related exports. Director: Carol Barnao

The Market Access group negotiates market access conditions and establishes certification requirements with the relevant authorities of countries importing New Zealand’s animal and plant products. This includes managing bilateral agreements, trading partner relationships and equivalency negotiations. The team provides strategic and operational input into the export standards and systems and emergencies, as they affect trade and NZFSA’s bilateral relationships. Director: Tony Zohrab

The Compliance and Investigation group ensures that standards are enforced, provides justification for export market assurances and undertakes investigations and prosecutions where necessary. Corrective actions and sanctions are also managed. The group complements regulatory controls undertaken by health protection units and local authorities in the domestic arena. Director: Geoff Allen

The Science group provides scientific input into NZFSA’s standards for food and food-related products, including risk assessments. The group is a centre of scientific excellence and knowledge of food safety and suitability in both the domestic and international trade contexts. It manages contracts with external science providers and provides international representation on technical issues. Director: Steve Hathaway

The Approvals & Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) group produces and reviews standards relating to agricultural compounds, veterinary medicines and maximum residue limits. It also develops the New Zealand approvals processes under the Animal Products Act, Wine, Food and ACVM acts. Its role includes maintaining the public registers and lists, and implementing the imported food and food-related products programmes at their point of entry. Director: Debbie Morris

The Finance group ensures that NZFSA is adequately resourced and has the appropriate financial advice to ensure its effective and efficient operation. Director: to be appointed

NZFSA Verification Agency audits the food safety programmes of food processors and provides export certification to some 1200 licence holders who export meat, game and seafood produced under those programmes. It employs veterinarians to inspect animals, ensure animal welfare protocols are followed and provides export certification for the products. NZFSA VA has a staff of over 280 (of which 200 are registered) stationed at 80 locations throughout New Zealand, including all meat processing premises. Circuit staff cover smaller processing operations where there is no permanent presence. Director: Steve Gilbert