Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
New Zealand Food Safety is inviting comments on the proposed changes to the import requirements for frozen berries. The changes are specified in the new Part 7 of the draft Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale.
A summary of the proposed changes is on this web page and full details are in the consultation documents.
This consultation will be of interest to registered food businesses involved in the importation, manufacture, and retail sale of frozen berries.
All submissions on this consultation must be received by 5pm on 8 January 2024.
Consultation documents
Draft Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported for Sale [PDF, 612 KB]
Discussion Paper – Proposed Changes to the Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported for Sale [PDF, 791 KB]
Related documents
NZL 750 SPS Notification Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale [PDF, 97 KB]
Current Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported for Sale [PDF, 339 KB]
Related information
Importing frozen berries: a food of increased regulatory interest
What’s being proposed?
A new Part 7 has been added to the draft food notice, which contains the proposed new import requirements for frozen berries.
The proposed key changes and improvements are:
- changing the imported food category of frozen berries from ‘increased regulatory interest (IRI)’ food to ‘high regulatory interest (HRI)’ food
- clarifying the types of products included or excluded from the application of the requirements
- removing the current microbiological testing of consignments as a clearance requirement
- clarifying the requirements for official certificates
- adding specific provisions for the use of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognised certificates.
We are also proposing an 18-month transition period, from the date of issue of the new notice, before the current clearance requirements are completely phased out. Over this period, importers of frozen berries can meet clearance requirements by complying with either the current requirements (for example, E. coli testing) or the proposed new clearance requirements in the draft notice.
Making your submission
We encourage you to use the submission form [DOCX, 70 KB]
Email your feedback on the draft document by 5pm on 8 January 2024 to import.systems@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer to get your feedback by email, you can post written submissions to:
Food Regulation Directorate (Imported Food)
New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
Make sure you include all the following information in your submission:
- the title of the document for consultation
- your name and title (if applicable)
- your organisation’s name
- your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email)
- any requests for confidentiality of specific information you provide.
