Proposed changes to the import requirements for frozen berries

Update – 23 April 2024

Notice issued

Today we published the revised Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale. It will come into force on 1 August 2024.

We've also released a summary of the changes to the notice and a review of submissions received during this consultation.

Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale (effective from 1 August 2024) [PDF, 440 KB]

Summary of changes to the notice and review of submissions [PDF, 354 KB]

Media release

New import requirements for frozen berries a win-win for consumers and food importers

Consultation background

New Zealand Food Safety invited comments on the proposed changes to the import requirements for frozen berries. The changes were specified in the new Part 7 of the draft Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale.

A summary of the proposed changes is on this page and full details were in the consultation documents.

This consultation would have been of interest to registered food businesses involved in the importation, manufacture, and retail sale of frozen berries.

Consultation closed on 8 January 2024.

Consultation documents

Draft Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported for Sale [PDF, 612 KB]

Discussion Paper – Proposed Changes to the Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported for Sale [PDF, 791 KB]

Related information

Importing frozen berries: a food of increased regulatory interest

What was proposed?

Part 7 was added to the draft food notice, which contained the proposed new import requirements for frozen berries.

The proposed key changes and improvements were:

changing the imported food category of frozen berries from 'increased regulatory interest (IRI)' food to 'high regulatory interest (HRI)' food
clarifying the types of products included or excluded from the application of the requirements
removing the current microbiological testing of consignments as a clearance requirement
clarifying the requirements for official certificates
adding specific provisions for the use of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognised certificates.

We also proposed an 18-month transition period, from the date of issue of the new notice, before the current clearance requirements are completely phased out.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Proposed changes to the import requirements for frozen berries

Closing date

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