- Print Friendly - Help

Processed food & retail sale - Importers' food safety programmes

Interim moratorium for the approval of food safety programmes for Importers'

September 2008

In June 2006 the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) introduced an interim moratorium on the approval of Food Safety Programmes (FSPs) for importers. This was to ensure there was consistency with the outcomes of the Imported Food Review (IFR) and Domestic Food Review (DFR). Implementing the recommendations of these reviews is still ongoing.

Importers undertaking other food related activities are subject to the Food Hygiene Regulations, Animal Products Act (Risk Management Plans) or the Food Act (Food Safety Programmes).

NZFSA are obliged to register any programme submitted, that is acceptable in terms of Section 8 of the Food Act, despite the moratorium. Any future FSP approval given will be time-bound and subject to any future requirements of the IFR / DFR.

Therefore the reasons for NZFSA introducing this moratorium still exist. The moratorium will stay in place for the foreseeable future and at least until the new Food Act is enacted.

Imported food will continue to be subject to the Imported Food Rules (previously known as the Standard Management Rules) and a risk analysis approach.

Contact for enquiries:

Email: approvals.fssi@nzfsa.govt.nz

Or

Advisor (Food Service, Sale and Imports)

Approvals and ACVM Group

04 894 2500