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Food Focus June 2009

Editorial

One of NZFSA’s chief strategic objectives is to engage with communities with identified food risks, and to provide sound science-based advice on safe food practices and nutrition to support better health.

To do this, NZFSA staff are forging links with different communities to find practical and achievable ways of reducing food-related risks. As an organisation, we are committed to the guiding principles of partnership, protection and participation. We are aiming for culturally appropriate outcomes and are using a variety of media to get the message across.

Community groups with information gaps on food safety are identified in a variety of ways. It could be that, as in the case of our 2005 Umu Pasifika project, a community representative takes the initiative and approaches NZFSA to look into a community’s needs. Or, it might be that other regulators working in food recognise a need and make a suggestion to us. Te Kai Manawa Ora, the Marae Food Safety Guide we‘ve just launched, and which is the subject of this issue’s cover and pictorial feature, was written in response to requests for further information from whanau, hapu and iwi after the release in 2004 of NZFSA’s Hangi Guide. From NZFSA’s perspective, Te Kai Manawa Ora is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide science-based food safety information in the non-regulatory environment.

We’re all very proud of this latest publication. Te Kai Manawa Ora is an attractive 105-page booklet bringing together the most up-to-date scientifically robust food safety information in a culturally appropriate way. It’s designed to provide Marae cooks and their helpers with sound, practical advice for catering for large numbers of diners. It incorporates food safety information on a range of traditional Maori food practices including hangi and gathering foods such as puha and shellfish.

The launch was an impressive affair at Turangawaewae Marae, one of New Zealand’s most prestigious Marae and the ancestral home of Kingi Tuheitia. The welcome we received from the people of Turangawaewae was humbling and we were gratified by the positive reception the new resource received.

After a long period of development, all those involved can be proud of the outcome. The next priority will be to publicise the guide and help all Marae use it.

NZFSA is committed to engaging with any community which has identified food-related risks to improve its food safety and nutritional practices.