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Domestic Food Review enters first phase of consultation

22 September 2004

One of the biggest reviews of food legislation and regulations in New Zealand has begun, with the nation’s food supply the focus of attention.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority today released the first set of discussion documents as part of its Domestic Food Review – a major overhaul of New Zealand’s food regulatory programme.

Domestic food covers all food produced and sold in New Zealand, including food sold in supermarkets, cafes and restaurants and imported food for sale.

In the first phase of public consultation, submissions are invited on four 2004 papers – a fifth is to be released later in the year – which propose changes to the way the New Zealand food supply is regulated.

“The Domestic Food Review is a major long-term project for NZFSA and is likely to run over the next five years,” said NZFSA executive director Andrew McKenzie. “It aims to introduce a food regulatory programme that will apply across the board and deliver on a number of key policies and objectives.

“Decisions made as a result of the review have the potential to affect every food producer in New Zealand – from large factories to the corner dairy, through to restaurants and takeaways.”

It is only the second time in the past 30 years that the government’s role in the New Zealand domestic food sector has been critically examined at official level. The last review was undertaken in the late 1980s and led to the Food Amendment Act 1996 and, eventually, the establishment of NZFSA.

“It is clear to NZFSA that something needs to be done about the domestic food sector. The current hygiene regulations that apply to most food businesses are outdated and are inconsistent with developments nationally and internationally over the past 20 years.

“The ultimate aim of this review is to improve food safety for consumers and ensure that people selling food are responsible for that safety. We want a system that is practical, consistent and delivers and promotes safe and suitable food.”

As part of the review, NZFSA is keen to ensure that compliance costs and interventions are kept to a minimum, trade and commerce in food and food-related products is facilitated and foodborne illness is reduced.

The aim is to keep the programme as simple as possible.

The 2004 concept papers cover four subjects:

Introduction and context

Regulatory roles, responsibilities and structures

Proposed food control plans

Implementation of food control plans.

A fifth paper will look at cost recovery.

NZFSA is inviting all those involved in food production, preparation, handling or delivery to have their say on the papers. If required, NZFSA will run public consultation workshops before the end of the consultation period.

All current and future concept papers will be available on the NZFSA website or by contacting NZFSA on:

Hotline: 0800 NZFSA 1 (0800 693 721)

Email: info@nzfsa.govt.nz

Submissions on papers as they become available can be sent to:

Submissions – Domestic Food Review
C/o Policy Group
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
PO Box 2835
Wellington.
Email: Robbie.thomson@nzfsa.govt.nz
Fax: (04) 463 2501

Ends

For further information contact: Gary Bowering, Manager (Communications). Tel: 04-463 2532 or
027 443 2550.
For further comment contact: Andrew McKenzie, Executive Director. Tel: 04-463 2502 or
021 430 187.