Public to consult on New Zealand Food Safety’s draft strategy

New Zealand Food Safety has announced it will take its draft strategy out for public consultation from 2 September to 27 September 2019.

“The feedback collected during the consultation will help New Zealand Food Safety be clear about its strategic priorities,” said Bryan Wilson, Deputy Director-General of New Zealand Food Safety. “New Zealanders and millions of consumers around the world eat New Zealand food.

The administration has said this is the public’s chance to have a say in what New Zealand Food Safety prioritises, with a clear focus on the food safety system so that food produced in New Zealand can be trusted by everyone.

It further states that world food safety systems are under increasing pressure and global issues, such as climate change, are impacting how food is produced. Furthermore, e-commerce is changing the way food is bought and sold and consumer tastes are changing and bringing greater demands from authenticity to health to the table.

New Zealand Food Safety has said it must look into developing science to ensure consumers remain safe from foodborne illnesses.

New Zealand Food Safety has said must be increasingly agile, understand the changing environment and developing science to ensure consumers remain safe from foodborne illnesses while allowing the industry to respond to the public’s demands.

“In times of uncertainty our overseas trading partners also want assurances that New Zealand food is authentic and safe. A foundational part of this is a robust domestic system,” said Mr Wilson. “Now it’s time to hear from you. Whether you own a food business, buy or produce New Zealand food, you’re part of hapū/iwi with interests in kai, or you simply enjoy cooking and eating – your feedback to this consultation is important in shaping this strategy.”

New Zealand Food Safety has said the final strategy will be launched at the New Zealand Food Safety Summit in Auckland on 10 December 2019.