Formed in July 2002

Prior to its formation New

Zealand had two separate regimes

for food administration.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority

The Ministry of Health

•Administered the Food Act

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

•Administered other food-related legislation mostly aimed at primary production, processing and exports.

But two regimes created problems including

• Inconsistencies and lack of coordination

• Shortage of skills in some specialist areas

• Potential for inconsistencies in our approach to exports and imports

• Increasing consumer concerns

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority

• Separate entity attached to MAF

• Appointment of a Minister for Food Safety

Two key functions

1. To protect and promote public health and safety.

2. To facilitate market access for NZ food and food-related products.

Other responsibilities include

• Development and implementation of food regulations

• Policy advice

• Regulation of import and export of food

• Implementation and enforcement of the Food Standards Code

• Managing food emergencies

• International trade

• Ensuring protection for consumers

Relationships with Consumer Organisations

• Consumer Food Forum

• Food Safety Advisory Board

• Consumer representation on NZFSA working groups

Consumer Food Forum

• Opportunity for NZFSA to present key programmes

• Opportunity for consumer feedback on food safety issues

• Opportunity for discussion on emerging food safety issues

• Nominate research topics

Food Safety Advisory Board

• Ten member board

• Three consumer representatives

• Provides independent advice to the Minister of Food Safety on the food administration regime

Consumer participation in consultation groups

• Seafood Standards Council

• Wine Sector Council

• Foodsafe Partnership

• Antibiotic Resistance Steering Group

Funding

• Annual food safety budget approximately $77m

• 30 percent from government

• 70 percent from industry from cost-recovery systems

NZ Food Safety Regulation

• 74 TA and 11 PHUs undertake food safety activities

• Funded by industry using a performance-based system of cost recovery

• Risk-based regulatory system and independent verification processes

Domestic Food Review

• Major review of the entire domestic food setting from “farm to plate”

• Risk-based

• Small and medium operators will implement programmes appropriate to their operations and risks.