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Information flyer explaining the Food (Importer) Standards 2008

16 October 2008

From 16 October 2008, two new Food Standards will affect everyone who imports food for human consumption for sale into New Zealand. They are:

1. Food (Importer listing) Standards

2. Food (Importer general-requirements) Standard

Importers who have imported food over the past six months (Feb to Sept 08) will be sent a letter and ‘Listing Application Form’ shortly after 16 October. Guidance material and the ‘Listing Application Form’ will be available here from 16 October.

An information flyer has been developed explaining the changes:

New rules for importing food into New Zealand

PDF version for downloading and printing [ PDF 112K]

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has introduced new rules that, from 16 October 2008, will affect everyone who imports food for human consumption for sale into New Zealand.

They are:

1. The Food (Importer - Listing) Standard 2008, which requires importers to list some details with NZFSA

NZFSA requires details such as an importer s name, company name, physical and postal addresses and

other contact details. Listing allows NZFSA to identify food importers and communicate directly with them about import-related matters. The listing form can be downloaded from NZFSAs website. There is no charge for listing.

2. The Food (Importer — General Requirements) Standard 2008, which covers what s expected in sourcing, storage and transportation of imported food, and record keeping requirements.

Sourcing food

Importers must ensure that foods they import are safe and suitable and meet relevant New Zealand

legislation and Standards, including the joint Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code. Importers are required to keep records eg, documentation covering agreed food safety requirements. The type and amount of evidence importers request from their supplier should be appropriate for the level of risk posed by the particular food. Importers must keep records of how the product got to New Zealand such as purchase records, bill of lading, a list of suppliers and any relevant supplier information.

Storage and transport

Importers must consider and take reasonable steps to ensure food does not deteriorate and/or is not contaminated during storage and transport to New Zealand. This can be done in a number of ways eg, ensuring the storage facility and transporters have procedures in place to manage food safety. Importers must keep temperature records for chilled or frozen foods.

Any storage facility or transportation units used for storing and transporting food must be kept clean and maintained in good condition to protect food from contamination. Importers could request assurances prior to loading or check this on arrival of the goods in New Zealand.

Record keeping

Record keeping is essential as it enables NZFSA to verify compliance with the Standards and assists with product traceability if a recall is required. Importers are required to keep all documents related to importing food. This includes relevant product information, supplier information, purchase records, information about the products journey to New Zealand and inventory records. Where applicable, all temperature records, such as monitoring records during storage and transportation, must also be kept. Records must be kept for four years and be available to NZFSA within 24 hours upon request or within a mutually agreed timeframe.

Important terms:

Food is defined in the Food Act 1981 to mean anything that is used or represented for use as food or drink for human beings and includes:

(a) Any ingredient or nutrient or other constituent of any food or drink, whether that ingredient or nutrient or other constituent is consumed or represented for consumption by human beings by itself or when used in the preparation of or mixed with or added to any food or drink and

(b) Anything that is or is intended to be mixed with or added to any food or drink and

(c) Chewing gum, and any ingredient of chewing gum, and anything that is or is intended to be mixed with or added to chewing gum.

Importer is defined in the Food Act 1981 to mean any person by or for whom any goods are imported; and includes the consignee of any goods; and also includes any person who is or becomes:

(a) The owner of any goods; or

(b) Entitled to the procession of any goods; or

(c) Beneficially interested in any goods — on or at any time after the importation of these goods and before they have ceased to be subject to the control of Customs in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act 1996.

Sale is legally defined in the Food Act 1981 and without being a substitute for that for sale generally means selling for human consumption or use and includes selling for resale for human consumption or use. The term use means any use in connection with the preparation or packing of food for human consumption.

For more information:

• check out NZFSA s web site at www.nzfsa.govt.nz to read the Standards, for more information

about the new Standards, for import requirements for specific foods and to download the Listing

form, or

• contact the Advisor (Food Service, Sale and Import), Approvals & ACVM Group, NZFSA,

PO Box 2835, Wellington. Tel: (04) 894 2500. Fax: (04) 894 2566. E-mail: approvals.fssi@nzfsa.govt.nz

Checklist for food importers:

List your details with NZFSA

Document how you know your supplier is producing safe and suitable food

Document how you know storage and transport providers keep food safe

Keep records