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Domestic Food Review stirs discussion

28 January 2005

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s far-reaching review of the food regulation programme for New Zealand has stirred great debate, not all of it based on fact, according to NZFSA Executive Director Andrew McKenzie.

“It’s excellent that people are engaging in the process, which is exactly what we want. As we have said from the start, we invite all public comment and are actively seeking input into the Domestic Food Review papers that are out for discussion, and which close on 28 February. As always in areas of high public interest, there’s an opportunity to correct misinformation or misunderstandings as these arise. For example, the suggestion that ‘bring a plate’ functions will be affected by these proposals. This is not the case. More recently, comments about the complexity and cost of particular courses proposed and suggestions that decisions on the future have been made. Decisions have not been made – these are proposals and where there are options in the papers, they are included to enable a fully informed discussion. All this is made clear in the discussion documents, which have been available for some months.

“So while bring-a-plate functions are not being considered for regulation, fundraisers, where food is sold for public consumption, such as sausage sizzles, school galas, community fairs and gate sales, and which have been covered by food law for at least the past 25 years will be reviewed. We want to see as little regulatory intervention as is possible, especially in areas like this that are almost icons of Kiwiana, but, at the same time, we must ensure risks to the public are minimised. We also recognise that it is the community itself that must help us to make decisions about what is acceptable. At the moment, we do not see sausage sizzles, school galas and the like as necessarily being high risk, but we will be hoping to hear from a wide range of New Zealand groups and individuals on how they consider we should manage this issue.

“In addition, there has been some talk about whether New Zealand’s 30 year old domestic food regulations need to change at all.

“The rapid change and expansion in the range of things we eat but more particularly in the ways of preparing, handling and storing food, and the emergence of new foodborne pathogens, means that what was 'future-proof' 30 years ago is no longer the case.

“To date, New Zealand has been lucky and there have been no major outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with commercial food premises, but there have been – and are – many incidents every year. There is no guarantee that a serious outbreak such as the current Melbourne event (where more than 700 people are estimated to have been affected, with at least 20 admitted to hospital) will not occur here. Current requirements for food businesses do not, in many instances, meet the needs of the way New Zealanders now buy food and live their lives. Some businesses have taken the initiative and put in place systems and measures that do reflect developments but this is not the case across the board.

“The purpose of the Domestic Food review is to put in place a programme that protects consumers, minimises compliance costs and ensures New Zealand’s vital food industry is positioned for the growth we all expect to see in the future.

“Decisions made as a result of the review have the potential to affect every food producer and seller in New Zealand. We want to ensure all those in the food industry and others with an interest in food in New Zealand have an opportunity to comment on the papers before we make any recommendations to government.”

The review covers all food sold (including imported food) and produced in New Zealand, including that sold in supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. It’s important that people involved in any kind of food production have a say.

Five concept papers are now available in hard copy format or downloadable from NZFSA’s website (www.nzfsa.govt.nz ). They cover:

• Introduction and context

• Regulatory roles

• Responsibilities and structures

• Proposed food control plans

• Implementation of food control plans

• Cost recovery.

The review is intended to establish a food regulatory programme that will apply across the board to both the biggest and the smallest of food activity in New Zealand. NZFSA’s key objective is to provide a coherent and seamless programme that will reduce incidences of foodborne illness in New Zealand.

Consequences of the review will benefit all those involved in the food industry – as well as New Zealand consumers – by removing unnecessary requirements, reducing or removing duplication and streamlining the requirements that must be met by industry.

Hard copies of the discussion papers are available by contacting NZFSA on 0800 NZFSA1 (0800 693 721). Email: info@nzfsa.govt.nz

Submissions 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 comment, contact: Andrew McKenzie, NZFSA Executive Director.
Tel: 04 463 2502 or 021 430 187.

For further information contact: Gary Bowering, Communications Manager.
Tel: 04-463 2531 or 027 44 32 550