T E S T I N G FOOD SELLERS GIVEN UP TO THREE YEARS TO COMPLY WITH NEW LAW A new law for all businesses that sell food will see existing businesses given a transition timetable to make legal changes, the Ministry for Primary Industries says. Our mission is to become the laboratory of choice for Testing and Auditing Services in the following segments: Our is to become the laboratory of choice for Testing and Auditing Services in the following segments: > Food Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Nutritional Testing > Water & Environmental Analysis > Residue Analysis > Food Forensics Investigations > Food & Supply Chain Consulting > Pharmaceutical Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Regulatory & Third Party Food Safety Compliance Auditing > Food Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Water & Environmental Analysis > Food Forensics Investigations > Nutritional Testing > Residue Analysis > Food & Supply Chain Consulting > Pharmaceutical Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Regulatory & Third Party Food Safety Compliance Auditing Totally Independent – Truly Global info@eurofins.co.nz | www.eurofins.co.nz Totally Independent – Truly Global info@eurofins.co.nz | www.eurofins.co.nz Freephone: 0800 EUROFINS | 0800 387 63467 AUCKLAND | HAMILTON | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH Totally Independent – Truly Global info@eurofins.co.nz | www.eurofins.co.nz www.foodtechnology.co.nz 25 > Food Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Water & Environmental Analysis > Food Forensics Investigations > Nutritional Testing > Residue Analysis > Food & Supply Chain Consulting > Pharmaceutical Testing – Microbiological & Chemistry > Regulatory & Third Party Food Safety Compliance Auditing Freephone:| 0800 387 63467 AUCKLAND | HAMILTON | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH Freephone: 0800 EUROFINS | 0800 387 63467 AUCKLAND | HAMILTON | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH FT030 The Food Act 2014, which came into effect on March 1, applies to anyone who makes, sells, grows or transports food commercially, and is designed to modernise food safety in New Zealand. Deputy Director-General regulation and assurance Scott Gallacher says anyone who starts a business that involves food must now follow the new law, including restaurants, rest homes, education providers, corner dairies, market stalls and internet cake sellers. Whilst existing businesses also need to make changes, they will be given more time to comply. “Although the new law started on March 1, existing food businesses don’t have to make changes straight away,” Gallacher says. “They will move over to the new Act at different times over a three year transition period. “The new law is designed to help businesses and consumers. It moves from a one-size-fi ts-all approach, to one that regulates businesses according to risk. This will help keep regulation and costs down for many businesses, especially lower risk businesses, like those who grow fruit and vegetables or sell only pre-packed food. “It also offers businesses greater fl exibility. People can sell food they have made at home, for example, but must meet the same food safety standards as other businesses. “By focusing on what’s most important to food safety, the law will help ensure safer food for consumers. At the same time, keeping costs down for businesses will also keep costs down for consumers.” By making food safety requirements more effi cient for businesses, the Act fi ts with wider government efforts to deliver better public services, Gallacher says. Businesses should visit: www.mpi.govt.nz/foodact to fi nd out what they need to do. By focusing on what’s most important to food safety, the law will help ensure safer food for consumers.
FT-mar16-Vol51-2
To see the actual publication please follow the link above