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Imported food legislation

Summary of legislation applying to imported foods

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) sets policies, criteria and procedures to monitor the safety of imported food for human consumption. Food imported into New Zealand for sale must comply with New Zealand Standards. It is the importers responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met.

Act

Food Act 1981

Cannot sell food that is unsafe, unfit for human consumption, or contaminated. Allows the Minister of Food Safety to set standards and requires importers to satisfy a Food Act Officer that the food they are importing complies with the Food Act, relevant Regulations and applicable Standards.

Food Act 1981- New Zealand Legislation website

Customs and Excise Act 1996

Provides that it is unlawful to import any food where the sale of that food in New Zealand would be an offence against the Food Act.

Customs and Excise Act 1996 - New Zealand Legislation website

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997

(TTMRA) food produced in New Zealand or imported into New Zealand that meets New Zealand's legal requirements, may also be sold in Australia and vice versa. There are some exceptions. For example, some prescribed (high-risk) foods listed in either country require certification or testing before being permitted entry eg, peanuts, molluscs.

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 - New Zealand Legislation website

Regulations

Food (Fees and Charges) Regulations 1997

Sets out fees and charges associated with imported food.

Food (Fees and Charges) Regulations 1997 - New Zealand Legislation website

Food Hygiene Regulations 1974

Sets food handling requirements including registration of food premises.

Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 - New Zealand Legislation website

Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985

Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 define what a dietary supplement is, state the maximum daily doses for some vitamins and minerals, list food additive permissions (eg, preservatives, flavourings and artificial sweeteners) and labelling requirements.

Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 – New Zealand Legislation website

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code specifies composition and labelling requirements for food for sale in New Zealand.

Chapter 1 - General Food Standards - Food Standards Australia New Zealand - FSANZ website

Chapter 2 - Food Product Standards - Food Standards Australia New Zealand - FSANZ website

Standards

Food (Importer Listing) Standard 2008 [PDF 66.8 KB] - requires importers to list certain details with NZFSA.

Food (Importer General Requirements) Standard 2008 [PDF 70.4 KB] - covers what is expected in sourcing, storage, transportation of imported food, and record keeping requirements.

Food (Prescribed Foods) Standard 2007 [PDF 65.7 KB] - allows for monitoring certain conditions in specific foods.

Food (Milk and Milk Products Processing) Standard 2007 [PDF 95.9 KB] - allows the importation of specific raw milk cheeses.

Country Agreements

EC / NZ Sanitary Agreement - facilitate trade of live animal and animal products.

Related Links

• Import clearance procedure

• Food importer standards guidance (listing and general requirements)

• Import requirements for specific foods - options and procedure for prescribed foods

• NZFSA Sampling and testing protocol for imported prescribed foods - including listed laboratories

• NZFSA forms

• Regulation of food in New Zealand

Updated on 10 August 2009