I've been having monthly meetings with New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) - the business unit of MPI that administers the Food Act 2014 and associated food safety regulation. The Minister of Food Safety, Hon Andrew Hoggard, has directed them to make some big changes, which they have been working on with my support.
Watch this space as there could be some big changes coming soon!
We've just had another meeting with NZ Food Safety this week. They've been directed by the Minister for Food Safety (Hon Andrew Hoggard) to differentiate small food businesses (such as cake makers and small mobile food vendors) from larger ones and ensure they have a much lighter regulatory touch.
We're supporting them with making clear criteria to capture these smaller, lower risk businesses and ensure they make significant reductions in food safety burden for them.
Make sure you've signed our petition and check the box to receive updates about it as emails are sent out regularly with important developments https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/support-fairer-food-safety-regulations-and-costs-for-small-food-businesses
Join our Facebook group as well - this is where short updates generally get posted first: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nzfood
Thank you all for your support. Ngā mihi, Ben.
PS I have also linked the video recording of our presentation to the Petitions Committed in Parliament for anyone who is interested
