Late 2008

Food Legislation Changes will come in to effect under the Food Bill which will likely go before parliament at the end of 2008.

The legislation will mean that a consistent, up-to-date, nation wide approach will replace the old and often out dated laws. Some local by-laws will also be repealed by the Food Bill.

All of this will come in to effect over a 5 year period probably starting in 2010.

Farmers' Markets Stalls will be required to comply in the year dictated by the product they sell. This means that a breakfast stall will comply in year 1 while a stall selling potatoes may be required to comply in year 4.

Some stalls may be exempted from Food Control Plans (FCP) if they are deemed to be very low risk.

Farmers' Markets themselves will require FCPs or Food Handler Guidance (FHG). This point is still being discussed at the advisory forum where FMNZ has a seat. Click here to view a flow chart of the proposed regulatory mechanism for markets.

Some useful terms:

TA - territorial authority

FCP - food control plan

FHG - food handler guidance

OTP - off the peg

The dates for the implementation of this legislation are not fixed. NZFSA are striving to 'get it right' rather than be tied to a time frame.

YOUR FEED BACK IS REQUIRED - info@farmersmarkets.org.nz

FMNZ have a place on the advisory forum, we have a voice and an ear, we must use.

Download report from Forum meeting

Meat-at-stalls

A one page guideline for the sale of meat at market stalls was produced by NZFSA in 2007. This is a very simple easy to follow protocol that should be used by all markets and stalls selling meat.

Background and further information here http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/publications/food-focus/2007-08/page-17.htm

Meat at stalls guidance here http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/processed-food-retail-sale/meat-stalls/meat-at-stalls.pdf

Market managers should make sure that all stalls selling meat have a printed copy of the guidance and are complying with it

New Food Label Booklet

A new booklet 'Understanding food labels' by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority aims to help consumers interpret food labels on packaged food. It explains what safety and suitability information must be made available.  Information that manufacturers can choose to put on their products such as advertising, nutrition claims and country of origin statements are also outlined

The booklet is on the web at www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/food-labelling/understanding-food-labels/ or get a printed copy by calling NZFSA’s free phone number 0800 693 721 or email info@nzfsa.govt.nz.