As most of New Zealand has moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 this week, to help businesses operating under the Food Act 2014 get back up and running, New Zealand Food Safety has updated guidance about operating safely....

On 25 August, MPI emailed the new Safe Practice Guidance for Food Retailers and Food Manufacturers under COVID-19 Alert Level 4 to all registered Food Act 2014 food retail and manufacturing businesses. The document is now live on this MPI web page: Safe work practices during Alert Level 4....

The (UK) Institute of Food Science and Technology publishes useful Information Statements. Recent additions include a focus on laboratory testing, including key considerations in deciding on test methods, and interpreting results. Examples include: Microbiological Analysis - key considerations ...

Roy Betts, a fellow at UK's Campden BRI posted a great blog recently on specific pathogens associated with different food types.  This includes considerations on what to test for in food products. You can read and download the blog here ...

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) has recently gazetted a new Consumer Information Standard which mandates country of origin labelling of certain meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables and cured pork products (bacon, ham). Note that compliant country of origin labelling for all ...

MPI has issued new food labelling guides for: 1. Retail packaged foods. Click here to download  2. Foods sold to manufacturers and further processors.  Click here to download 3. Foods sold to foodservice and catering businesses. click here to download...

Managing the risks associated with food allergens is a major food safety challenge for food producers and suppliers. Incorrect or unclear allergen information can be a matter of life or death for people living with a food allergy To help food businesses manage these risks the Allergen Bureau and ...

MPI has issued a reminder that businesses importing food need to have a valid Food Importer registration, and complete their Intended Use declarations for all consignments of food, drinks, and ingredients. People who import food, drinks, or ingredients for sale must be registered as a food impo...

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recently published an analysis of annual food recall statistics for the last 10 years, including new data for 2020. There was a total of 109 recalls in 2020, with 51 of these (47%) due to undeclared allergens. For all the statistics and more information, ...

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recently announced new requirements for allergen labelling on packaged foods. The changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) will help ensure mandatory food allergen declarations are clear and consistent so that consumers have the...