Food news: a newsletter for regulators and verifiers

16 December 2025

Read translated guidance now available online, consulting on proposals to strengthen the risk management controls for four types of imported food, important information for frozen berry importers, business prosecuted for selling recalled hummus, keep your continuing professional development records up to date, getting recall-ready: what food importers need to know.

27 November 2025

Read food act improvements programme underway, prosecution for incorrect storage labelling in Australia, complete steps 1-3 of the continuing professional development programme by 30 November, allergy awareness campaign, URL update for public registers from 22 February 2026, New Zealand Food Safety availability over the holiday period.

30 October 2025

Read on making biltong, simulated food recalls reminder, continuing professional development, new learning in the Food Safety Academy, close-out dates for MPI approvals applications, support for exporting innovative food and fibre products, new webpage about buying safe food online, World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.

29 September 2025

Read new food export exemptions, exemption proposal for home-based cake makers, ice cream requirements, 2025–2026 continuing professional development year begins on 1 October, changes to custom food control plans, supporting exporters with health and nutrition content claims, consultation open on avian influenza H5N1 in poultry.

29 August 2025

Read Food Act template review project, changes to alcohol labelling requirements – Food Standards Australia New Zealand proposals approved, learning for Food Act evaluators, continuing professional development support from the shared services team, visit the New Zealand Food Safety stand at Foodtech Packtech 2025.

29 July 2025

Read the peer reviewer connect forum, refreshed food safety resources for marae, correctly labelling spirits, updated guide for exporting honey and bee products, refreshed seafood roadmap, sending food from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, sign up for food and water safety workshop in Wellington, emerging food allergy risk webinar series, food importing 101 webinar.

26 June 2025

Read food act template review, registration requirements for food importers, selling shellfish, enforcement under the Geographical Indications Registrations Act, continuing professional development peer review, food recalls annual report 2024, exporter help, New Zealand Grass-Fed Standards now in effect, events, implementation of the food business levy.

28 May 2025

Read consultation on adding 'making biltong' to our template Food Control Plan, continuing professional development, compulsory learning, proposed cost recovery for the new organics regime, 2025 New Zealand Food Awards, visit the New Zealand Food Safety stand at Fine Food New Zealand 2025, emerging food allergy risk webinar, World Food Safety Day webinar.

30 April 2025

Read operating as a mobile business, continuing professional development drop-in Q&,A sessions, timecard details now viewable for CPD managers, collaborate and earn CPD points with academy resources, emerging food allergy risk webinar series.

27 March 2025

Read Simply Safe and Suitable template food control plan translations, feedback, and updated cards, continuing professional development in 2024-2025, entries open for the 2025 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, food safety insights, emerging risks and current issues bulletin, New Zealand Institute for Environmental Health conference.

28 February 2025

Read translations of Simply Safe and Suitable and record blanks, safe chicken handling, registration of bone broth products, gluten free in a food service setting, New Zealand Sugar company fined over lead, continuing professional development programme, risk management programme evaluators, food standards code, refreshed good governance guide.

20 December 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, Food Act Template Review Project and Biltong, improving the food safety requirements of imported sesame seed and tahini-based products, remote verification, new importer videos, simulated recall requirements, judgements under the Food Act 2014, integrated Wine Standards Management Plan, NZ Food Composition Database, end-of-year survey.

11 November 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, updates to National Programme guidance and My Food Plan template content, campylobacter action plan revises safe cooking of liver guidance, when do the ‘Using acid to control bugs’ (SS&S) and ‘Making food acidic’ (NP) cards apply?, a reminder about Vibrio parahaemolyticus as summer approaches, d-allulose permitted as a novel food, Food Act Verifiers Academy now live, close-out dates for MPI Approvals applications, New Zealand Food Awards 2024 wrap-up, and World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.

30 September 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, food Act verifiers - upcoming deadlines for Continuing Professional Development, notification of Academy offline period, new compulsory learning module for the 2024/2025 CPD year , national Programmes and My Food Plan, a new procedure for Biltong, butchery operating outside of the scope of Simply Safe & Suitable, reporting foodborne illness, call for food businesses to donate food, ordering physical copies of Simply Safe & Suitable and the Toolkit.

15 August 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, export exemptions from New Zealand’s composition and labelling requirements, continuing professional development (CPD) year-end, Food Safety academy offline notification, food service education campaign, and food importers education campaign.

5 July 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, improving guidance for Food Act verifiers and registration authorities, food Safety response guidance, consumer insights on food safety, getting the most important areas of food safety right, and food act recognised agency and registration authority webinar.

31 May 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, find out about verifying businesses making food labelled as "gluten free", providing allergen information in a food service setting, improving guidance for Food Act verifiers and registration authorities, pest Control products under the Food Act 2014, Food Act Verifier Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Managers, MAPS and Titiro Licenses for 2024/25, consumer-level Food Recalls Annual Reports, World Food Safety Day.

30 April 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, find out about improving guidance and learning for Food Act verifiers and registration authorities, revised importing food notice published, new food importer newsletter, food safety insights, emerging risks and current issues bulletin, 2024 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, and entries for 2024 New Zealand Food Awards opening on 1 May.

27 March 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, a proposal to maintain and expand services to businesses under the Food Act 2014, pest and animal control information, transporting bulk feeds and foods using repurposed vehicles, continuing professional development for Food Act verifiers, plain English allergen labelling, guidance and learning for Food Act verifiers and registration authorities.

14 February 2024

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, changes to the definition of 'added sugars' when making a nutrition content claim, plain english allergen labelling, cost recovery proposal to maintain and expand New Zealand Food Safety’s core regulatory services under the Food Act 2014, and Food safety print portal.

17 November 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, simulated food recall guidance for food service, close-out dates for approvals’ applications, upcoming deadlines for the Continuing Professional Development Programme, public consultation of frozen berry import requirements, and a Food News survey.

24 October 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, importers fined $28,000, plain English allergen labelling, Food Act Verifiers Academy and 2023-2024 CPD year notifications, countdown to 2023 NZ Food Awards.

20 September 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, updated rules for food importers, simulated recalls, plain English allergen labelling, food safety and pregnancy, risk management programme template updates, risk management programmes for chicken producers, national organic standard update, upcoming events, and 2022 foodborne illness report.

18 August 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, update on Salmonella in tahini, have your say: industrially produced trans-fats in processed food, verifier training platforms, and Food Residues Survey Programme (FRSP) survey and updates.

27 July 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle – the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, food recall simulation, clearer rules for registered food importers, organic and biodynamic winegrowing conference, and plain english allergen labelling.

22 June 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, Organics project, no change to mānuka honey definition, folic acid fortification of bread and flour, food safety in the home, and upcoming events.

20 May 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, Food Act template review project, New Zealand Food Safety response simulation - exercise artemis, MAPS and Titiro licence charges to commence from July 2023, and staff update.

26 April 2023

Read an update from Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director general for New Zealand Food Safety, the upcoming consultation 'Food Notice: Recognised Agencies and Persons', webinars on the Regulatory Control Scheme Refresh, amendments to exemptions, waivers and refunds granting, making and marketing novel food, the Organic Products and Production Bill, and improvements to the my food rules tool.

20 March 2023

Find out about the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill, food safety guidance following severe weather events, the Multiple Approvals Processing System (MAPS) and Titiro charges, the food act template review project and the recall ready project, the consultation on the National Organic Standard draft proposals, and the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health’s Professional Development Conference.

10 February 2023

Find out about food safety in natural disasters and emergencies, the recall ready project, the regulatory control scheme refresh, two new importing food notices, the Multiple Approvals Processing System (MAPS) and Titiro charges, the food act template review project, and an update on the food safety academy.

8 December 2022

Find out about the health star rating system changes, improvements to the my food rules tool, the Multiple Approvals Processing System (MAPS) and Titiro charges, the updated guide to alcoholic drinks, the food act template review project, and a call for verifiers to submit case studies for the New Zealand Food Safety academy.

7 November 2022

Find out about the new tour operator guidance, fortification of flour with folic acid, the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards, the phase-outs of certain single use plastic products, an update on the risk of Hepatitis A from frozen berries, a call for verifiers for animal products act businesses, and the consultation on the food act template review.

6 October 2022

Find out about the risk of Hepatitis A from frozen berries, the illegal sale of Fijian mussels, “gluten free” labelling, the new rules for electrolyte drinks, and the Food Act Template review project.

5 September 2022

Find out about the pork and dumpling meat safety campaign, the directed verification of food importers, the Food Act Template review project, guidance on registration for wine storage, improvements to the my food rules tool, and changes to MPI's print supplier.

4 May 2022

Find out about the new allergen labelling guide, the young enterprise scheme, a course on importing food for verifiers, the regulatory redesign project, and management of Salmonella Enteritidis in commercial chicken flocks.

25 February 2022

Find out about verifying under the protection framework, an update on the Food Safety Academy, the increase in cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and an update on Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL).

23 December 2021

Find out about guidance under the protection framework, the recall on sugar due to lead concerns, the new AFRA's food safety guide, the new regulations and transitional arrangements for regulatory redesign, and the new CPD programme learning activities.

12 November 2021

Find out about verifying businesses that import food, the CPD self-assessment and learning plans, an update on the template review project, animal products notices, an update on plain english allergen labelling, and guidance on how to raise an animal product export certificate in AP E-cert.

15 October 2021

Find out about delivering QMS assessments remotely, the animal products and wine regulatory redesign, digital food control plans and record keeping, unscheduled and unannounced verifications, and what's new in the food safety academy. 

10 September 2021

Find out about the verification process during the COVID-19 response, proposed wine and animal products notices, the mandatory fortification of flour for bread-making, the awardeee for significant contribution to food safety, and the finalists for the New Zealand Food Awards. 

23 July 2021

Find out about changes to country of origin labelling, food importer registration, advice about Salmonella Enteritidis, wine and animal products regulatory redesign, and how growers use agricultural chemicals.

25 June 2021  

Find out about advice on Salmonella Enteritidis, and update on COVID-19 and food safety, fishmongers and recreational catch, organic standard technical working groups, improving business experience of food, and talking food safety at the NZIFST Conference.

24 May 2021

Find out about menu labelling in Australia and New Zealand, organic products regulations consultations, mussels and vibrio parahaemolyticus, contract for verification services, food safety during droughts and heat waves, and talking food safety at the NZIFST Conference.

9 April 2021

Find out about food importer registration, the new ECE guidelines for preparing food, organic products regulations consultation, sulphur dioxide and sulphites as food additives, young enterprise scheme, and rewarding food safety champions.

17 February 2021

Find out about rules for donating food, feeding/supplying waste food to animals, reviewing food recall guidance, reporting an allergic reaction to foods, the New Zealand Petfood Manufacturers Association Conference, and the 2021 NZIEH Conference.

21 December 2020

Find out about the food safety academy and CPD, the cost of user licences for MAPS and Titiro, the healthy school lunches programme, clean, cook, chill, and the 2021 NZIEH Conference.

2 December 2020

Find out about consultations on the food regulation system, an update on food recalls, close-out dates for approvals applications, and the 2020 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award.

30 October 2020

Find out about recognised agencies and persons, the FSANZ Act 1991 review, food safety officer warrant renewals, food residues survey programme, the food heroes winners, and the 2020 Spirit of Service Awards.

18 September 2020

Find out about retail sale of raw apricot kernels, CPD webinars, tips and tricks for food verifiers, the food adviser hub, the food heroes finalists, and the 2020 New Zealand Ice Cream Awards.

11 August 2020

Find out about pregnancy warning labels, an COVID-19 update for verifiers, reducing the risk of illness from listeria, guidance for operator verification, and the 2020 New Zealand Ice Cream Awards.

15 July 2020

Find out about the ministry of education consultation, transitioning to business as usual, sample of sites for a multi-site verification, the second edition of the buddy magazine, and the 'Be Young, Be Food-Safe, Be Heard’ competition.

12 June 2020

Find out about the weekly COVID-19 webinars, what's next on remote checking, new verifiers academy micro-learning modules, the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, and the restaurant association COVID-19 webinars.

20 May 2020

Find out about verification during the COVID-19 response, food labels during COVID-19, the recall of buckwheat organic flour, the restaurant association COVID-19 webinars, the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, and the ‘Be Young, Be Food-Safe, Be Heard’ competition.

6 April 2020

Find out about the new law for regulating organic products, verification process during the COVID-19 response, conversations with your co-regulators, bakeries selling frozen pies and how they should operate under the food control plan, and new practice notes.

9 March 2020

Find out about food recalls of pesto products, coronavirus and food safety, new animal products regulations, mastery of verification workshops, and the NZIEH Conference.

5 February 2020  

Find out about an update on the cost of compliance survey update, the ban on sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products, guidance pet food guidance, and remote verification training for verifiers.