WHAT THE ACT DOES

• Application to food industry: Given the definition of regulated food, the standard will be limited in its application. Within the produce section of the supermarket for example, we expect that whole fruit and vegetables will be caught but not, for example, ready-made salads or stir fry mixes which contain more than 1 type of fruit and vegetable. Similarly, in the freezer, a bag of frozen peas will be subject to the standard but not a neighbouring bag of mixed vegetables. The definition’s inclusion of “cured pork” means the standard will apply to certain small-goods such as bacon and ham.

• Exclusions: The standard may exclude any food from being a regulated food if the Minister considers that requiring the food to comply with the standard would:

  • be unduly onerous; or

  • not help consumers to make informed decisions about buying it.

​​​WHEN

The Minister must make the recommendation which ultimately prescribes the standard as soon as practicable after 4 December 2018 but no later than 3 April 2020. The standard must come into force 6 months after the date of its notification in the New Zealand Gazette. 

The standard must have an 18 month transition period for frozen foods.

FURTHER INFORMATION