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Testing of Imported Foods

All food imported into New Zealand under goes surveillance upon entering New Zealand. The product must be in compliance with New Zealand food legislation and any other legislation requirements as appropriate. The Auckland Central Clearing House is contracted by the NZFSA to manage the surveillance program of all food entering New Zealand.

A local Food Act Officer (FAO), triggered by the tariff code declaration, will contact the Importer/Customs Broker to arrange inspection and sampling as required by the regulations. All testing is completed at the importer’s expense. Laboratory results are forwarded directly to the Importer/Customs Broker and FAO concerned. The FAO interprets the test results and makes the decision to clear or reject consignment. If the consignment meets the criteria, final clearance is given. If the consignment fails to meet the criteria, the importer is provided with options for its disposal. All food consignments (or part thereof) that fail to meet criteria are disposed of under the supervision of an FAO.

Imported Food & Testing Requirements

Details of import requirements for specific foods can be found here:

http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/imported-food/high-risk/index.htm

Generic Clearance Procedure

Details of generic clearance procedure for imported foods can be found here:

http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/imported-food/clearance/index.htm

Technical Information on High Risk Food hazards

Defining potential hazards and the food safety issues associated with:

Microbial Pathogens

Mycotoxin (including Aflotoxins)

3-Monochloropropan-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 3-Dichloropropan-2-ol (1,3-DCP)

Marine Biotoxins

Heavy metals

Variant Creutzfeld Jakob Disease (vCJD), Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) (or mad cow disease)