Reduce your risk of getting sick from food by following our easy tips
Bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses and toxins may contaminate food and cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea or worse. Learn about foodborne illnesses and how to avoid them.
Learn how to stay food safe when you have lower immunity. With on-going illness, medication, a recent hospital stay, pregnancy, being very young or frail, your risk of getting sick from food is higher than normal.
Learn
how to carefully prepare, cook and store higher-risk foods to avoid getting
sick. Check the list of specific foods to increase your awareness.
Understand how chemicals in food are managed, monitored and controlled. Many
foods contain chemical residues, toxins, additives or contaminants. Some are
present naturally, others are added during production.
Learn
about the causes of allergies, the symptoms and how to avoid the foods your
body cannot tolerate.
Learn how to read and interpret food labels. Food labels help you make informed choices about the products you purchase by providing nutritional or consumer safety information.
Safe
handling of food is important for everyone whether at home, on the Marae and
for large gatherings. Your culture can influence where or how you purchase,
gather, prepare, cook, serve and distribute food.
Are you
thinking of starting a small food business, selling from a roadside stall or
market, or using food for fundraising? Read about the first steps, keeping your
customers safe and complying with regulations. This includes packing, storing
and transporting food.
Learn
which animal diseases can be passed onto people. As well as having the
potential to make you unwell, animal diseases are a concern for New
Zealand's reputation as a source of safe food products.
