New Zealand - Proposals for changes to food safety regulations MPI Public Discussion Paper No: 2016/24.

Ministry for Primary Industries has published Proposals for changes to food safety regulations MPI Public Discussion Paper No: 2016/24. The Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations 2015 came into force on 1 March 2016. These aligned New Zealand domestic food system with the risk-based approach of other food statutes, namely the Animal Products Act 1999 and the Wine Act 2003.

While new businesses have to operate under the Food Act straight away, existing businesses are transitioning to the new law over a three year introductory period (set to finish during 2019).

The Food Regulations 2015 focused on higher-risk businesses that were the first to transition to the Food Act, and the detailed requirements needed to get the Food Act working on a practical level.

The proposals for this second set of regulations focus on low to medium-risk businesses joining later in the introductory period. Many of the proposals seek to reduce regulatory burden and revoke unnecessary rules. The proposals include:

·    reduced regulatory requirements for low to medium-risk businesses;

·    greater flexibility surrounding initial verification requirements and a change to verification        reports;

·    a review of the outdated Food (Safety) Regulations 2002, many of which can be revoked;