What is the National Chemical Contaminants Programme?

The NCCP is New Zealand's dairy monitoring and surveillance programme. It monitors for a wide range of residues and contaminants in milk and other dairy products. The programme ensures that milk and other dairy products are not a food safety risk and are suitable for export.

The NCCP is an official programme under the Animal Products Act 1999.

Dairy Industry (National Residue Monitoring Programme) Regulations 2002 - NZ Legislation

How does the NCCP work?

The NCCP includes monitoring of raw milk and other dairy products.

Raw milk programme

The raw milk programme takes samples from randomly selected farms. Samples are taken from raw milk at the farm bulk milk tank.

Dairy products programme

The dairy products programme takes samples from dairy manufacturers under the supervision of a recognised verifier.

All samples are tested at recognised laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

What the NCCP tests

The NCCP tests for a broad range of chemicals, including:

• registered and unregistered agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines
• certain environmental contaminants.

The programme tests for chemicals:

• likely to be found in samples
• of interest overseas, even if they are unlikely to be found in New Zealand.

NCCP results

Reports with sampling plans and results are published each year. These have more information about how sampling and testing is carried out, and recent results.

NCCP sampling plans and reports

When exposure to contaminants is suspected

MPI has developed guidelines for RMP operators and recognised agencies. These have steps to follow if contaminated milk is suspected or confirmed.

Documents for NCCP

Who to contact

If you have questions about the NCCP, email info@mpi.govt.nz.