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Letter to the editor of the Timaru Herald, November 17 2006

Sir,

Your editorial – Something a bit off (November 9) implies that government-approved changes to New Zealand’s antiquated food laws will make it easier for food businesses to flout the rules.

This is not the case. The new Food Control Plans will make it harder for those who choose to flout the rules because the plans require all food businesses to keep daily records of their operations. These will be verified and audited regularly and provide a clear picture of how the business is managing this critical aspect on an ongoing basis, not just at a single point in time.

Those businesses that prove their operations meet the rules will indeed find they have fewer inspections. Those that don’t will be subject to more frequent visits (which they will have to pay for), bigger fines and could find themselves subject to instant closure (without the ability to hide behind a lengthy and costly court case first).

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) estimates the changes will take five years to fully implement because businesses will be moved according to the potential food safety risk they present. Those sectors presenting the highest risks, caterers, restaurants, fresh salad manufacturers and people providing food to vulnerable populations (eg baby foods), will move to the new programme in Year 1.

Yours sincerely,

Sandra Daly
Director
Communications and Infrastructure
NZFSA