Most food service businesses and food retailers can use the Simply Safe & Suitable template to meet requirements of the Food Act. We've created a step-by-step process so you can see what's involved.
We updated the Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan (FCP) in July 2018. If your business is already using a Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP, you need to update your plan.
Create a Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP.
Answer some questions in our online tool to get a copy of the template, with all the sections that are relevant to your business.
If you don't want to use the tool to create your plan, you can download and complete the template as a pdf document.
Just complete the sections that are relevant to the type of food business you run.
Translations of the Simply Safe & Suitable template are available in:
Translated 'Simply Safe & Suitable' templates
Purchase A5-card print copies of the Simply Safe & Suitable template
The Food Safety Toolkit contains resources to help you follow your plan. It includes templates you can use to keep records, training resources, and useful materials for your kitchen. All resources in the toolkit are optional, and we will add more over time.
You must register with your local council if your business is based in only one council area, or if you have a mobile or online business.
To register with your council you will need to:
Note: Some councils don't require a scope of operations form, check their application form to see what they need.
Contact your local council – Department of Internal Affairs website
Scope of operations form [PDF, 465 KB]
If you operate from fixed places (shops or packing houses) in more than one council area, you are called a 'multi-site' business. Multi-site businesses can choose whether to register:
If registering with MPI, you need to contact a verifier before you register, and get them to confirm that they will verify your business. Check the verifier map to find a verifier who covers your district (make sure they verify FCP businesses).
You can also find a verifier on our registers.
Next steps:
When you have confirmed a verifier, you can complete your registration with MPI.
If you are unable to find a verifier from the map or lists, or the price quoted seem unreasonable, email info@mpi.govt.nz
To register your multi-site business with MPI you will need:
Send your completed forms and application to:
Verifiers are professionals who will visit your business to check you are selling safe and suitable food. The verifier will check you are following your Food Control Plan effectively and keeping all the records you need. They will give feedback on areas that need improvement.
Almost all template FCP businesses are verified by their local council. Talk to them about verification when you contact them about registration.
Your first verification happens after you are registered.
If you are a new business, you must arrange for your verifier to visit within 6 weeks of becoming registered. If you are an existing business, your verifier must visit within a year of your registration.
In some circumstances, new businesses can apply to extend the date when their verification is due.
You can apply if:
You need to email or write to your registration authority (either your council or MPI), 2 weeks before verification is due.
The verification date may be extended by up to 6 weeks. The registration authority must either grant or decline your request at least 5 working days before verification is due.
How often you are checked will depend on how successfully you are managing food safety. This could be as little as once every 18 months, if you are managing food safety well. It could be as often as every 3 months if you are not doing well. You must pay for each visit, so the better your food safety systems, the less it will cost you.
Councils and independent verifiers set their own fees.
Check this guide to find out more about verifications and likely costs
Once you have a plan in place and have registered, you must:
If you have questions about food control plans, email info@mpi.govt.nz
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