Food Business Operators

Every person involved in selling food to the public has a responsibility to ensure the food sold is safe and suitable to eat and doesn't make their customers sick. This applies regardless of whether the food is sold from a food stall, by a business such as a caf, restaurant, child-care centre or food manufacturer for example, or is being sold to raise money for a fundraiser.

Food Act 2014

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the government agency responsible for overseeing food safety in NZ and administering the Food Act 2014.

The way the Food Act has been written recognises that food businesses are not all the same. The requirements that are applicable to your food business will depend on the type of food you make and sell and the level of food safety risks associated with the way your food business is operated.

The Food Act has two risk-based measures designed to manage food safety and these risk-based measures are known as food control plans and national programmes.

To find out where your food business fits use the MPI's online tool 'My Food Rules'. It will help you identify whether you need to register and operate under a food control plan or a national programme; or if your type of business operation is exempt.

Forms and Resources

• Food Act Application - One Site (PDF, 229.3KB)
• Food Act Application -multi site (PDF, 276.5KB)
• National Programme Contract (PDF, 248.6KB)
• National Programme Guide (PDF, 159.6KB)
• Scope-of-operations FCP (PDF, 464.8KB)
• Scope-of-operations-for-np1-businesses (PDF, 424.4KB)
• Scope-of-operations-for-np2-businesses (PDF, 504.2KB)
• Scope-of-operations-for-np3-businesses (PDF, 355KB)
• Boil Water Notices - Food Businesses (PDF, 274KB)

Contact

Environmental Health Officer
Phone: (03) 440 0056
Email: food@codc.govt.nz