- Print Friendly - Help

Organics - Selling organics in New Zealand

If you produce organic products for sale in New Zealand you must meet the regulatory requirements for your type of product. If you wish to label your products as organic you can choose to meet an organic standard for their production.

Meet standards for your food type

First, you must meet the regulatory requirements for your type of product (for example, seafood, wine, dairy). These requirements apply to all foods and food products sold in New Zealand, whether they are organic or not.

Food and food products must be produced in accordance with New Zealand legislation, such as the:

• Animal Products Act 1999

• Wine Act 2003

• Food Act 1981

• Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997

Food labels must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

NZFSA administers these requirements.

For specific requirements refer to the appropriate section of the NZFSA website for your food type.

Meet organic standards

In addition, you may choose to have your production processes certified as organic. Organic certification means that you have met a set of standards and your compliance has been verified by a certifying organisation.

See the OANZ website for advice on choosing a certifying body in New Zealand.

NZFSA does not administer organic standards for products sold in New Zealand.

Certification - Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) website

Labelling products as organic

If your products are organic, you can say this on the label.

Food labels in New Zealand must be truthful and accurate. Truthful labelling is regulated through the Fair Trading Act 1986 and enforced by the Commerce Commission.

Contact

organics@nzfsa.govt.nz

Updated 7 August 2009