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Food Focus May 2008

In focus

Food Shows

The busy events schedule for NZFSA includes attendance at food shows around the country

One effective way for NZFSA to get the food safety message out to consumers is to have a stand at annual food shows. The first food show for the year in late March saw members of the NZSFA Communications team in Christchurch. Hundreds of balloons were given away to eager children while their parents picked up information from NZFSA’s stand.

A new booklet Understanding Food Labels was very popular and received many positive comments. Consumers noted that the new booklet complemented the Identifying Food Additives booklet very well.

Both these publications are available on our website:

• Understanding Food Labels

• Identifying Food Additives.

NZFSA will also be at the Wellington and Auckland Food Shows in May and August.

Pasifika Festival

NZFSA’s 2008 show schedule kicked off in early March at the Pasifika Festival

The sun was shining brightly and 200,000 plus attendees basked in the hot weather while attending the Pasifika Festival at Western Springs Park in Auckland. NZFSA and Auckland Regional Public Health staff had a busy day handing out hundreds of fridge magnets, stickers and brochures to festival-goers. Staff reminded people of our general food safety messages – Clean, Cook, Cover, Chill – with the help of our Pacific mascot Feliti.

Champions of Cheese awards

NZFSA sponsored the Champion New Cheese Award at the Cuisine Champions of Cheese awards, which were held in Auckland on March 4. Carol Barnao, NZFSA Director (Standards), attended the gala dinner to present the award to this year’s winner, the Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company for their Buffalo Ricotta. Also receiving gold medals in the same category were Blue River Diary Products with their Vintage Feta-Style Cheese and Fonterra Brands NZ with their Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue. Congratulations to all the winners.

NZFSA doing a good job!

A recent survey showed New Zealanders have confidence in their new food safety department

In the latest Quarterly Review (January 2008) of the Mood of the Nation, UMR reported how New Zealanders feel about their government departments and agencies. With NZFSA separating from MAF in 2007 it was recorded as a government department in its own right and ranked very highly among the ‘non-uniform’ departments (ie not the police, fire service, army, customs etc), with 49% of New Zealanders saying it was doing an excellent or good job. Only the National Library at 57% scored higher in this grouping, although they also had a very large ‘unsure’ group of 36%, compared with 24% unsure for NZFSA.

Sandra Daly, NZFSA Deputy Chief Executive, expressed surprise and pleasure at New Zealanders’ confidence in the new department. “Being the ‘new kid on the block’ it is very pleasing to find that nearly half of New Zealanders think we are doing a great job, and less than a quarter are unsure. Obviously we will be working even harder to make sure all New Zealanders have confidence in the safety of their food.”

(The report is based on findings from UMR’s Omnibus surveys carried out during 2007, using a sample size of 750 New Zealanders aged 18 or over.)

Exchange of ideas

Gregory Vakaci, an Enforcement Officer from the New South Wales Food Authority (NSWFA) spent February with NZFSA’s Compliance & Investigation Group as part of an exchange agreement

During his month here, Greg Vakaci travelled extensively with our investigators to observe food, animal product and AVCM-related issues. He was also able to explore and discuss the activities of third-party verifiers with a variety of specialists here. One thing Greg commented strongly on was the range of legislation we covered compared to his jurisdiction.

Greg has a lot of experience investigating food-related complaints and achieving compliance with the Food Standards Code applicable to both New Zealand and Australian situations. He participated fully in the investigation process and the investigators enjoyed his company, experience, outlook and contribution – thanks to everyone who took part. His visit has certainly enhanced the relationship between NZFSA and NSWFA.

Safe food is your business

NZFSA’s conference this year will be focussing on the voluntary implementation of Food Control Plans, which are a key part of the new Food Bill

Although the Food Bill has yet to be tabled, NZFSA and Territorial Authorities are working together to give operators of cafés, restaurants and catering establishments an opportunity to pilot the proposed system. At this year’s conference you will be able to hear first-hand what is involved in doing this.

Our conference programme also includes keynote addresses from the UK Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority. Additional guests include Professor Ian Shaw from the College of Science at the University of Canterbury and other industry and sector representatives who will cover topics ranging from exporting to emerging issues in food safety.

Delegates will be able to attend various workshops over the two days. The topics include:

• Stepping up to exporting

• Implementing Food Control Plans.

Special sessions

Two special sessions will be held either side of the conference. A workshop for Territorial Authorities will be held on 16 September, which will be open to all Environmental Health Officers, Health Protection Officers and their colleagues. Then on 19 September a Satellite Science Class will be held. The topic for this class is ‘Risk management framework in action – NZFSA’s response to hazards in honey’.