Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland international freighting company and manager have together been fined over $28,000 for failing to do biosecurity checks and transporting 15 sea containers to unapproved locations for unpacking.

Under the Biosecurity Act all sea containers arriving in New Zealand must be sent from the port of first arrival to a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Approved Transitional Facility (ATF) for inspection and unpacking.

Auslink International New Zealand Limited and logistics manager Christopher James Manning (68) were sentenced in the Manukau District Court on 8 charges each under the Biosecurity Act, following a successful prosecution by MPI.

Auslink was fined $16,250 and Mr Manning was fined $12,000.

“When imported sea containers are sent to and unpacked at unapproved locations, they leave the country vulnerable to pests or unwanted organisms that could have a devastating effect on the environment and people’s livelihoods.

“The rules are there for a reason – to protect our borders from the threat of unwanted biosecurity threats,” says MPI director of investigations, Gary Orr.

Compliance investigators found that between December 2021 and April 2022, Auslink were contracted to complete biosecurity checks at their MPI Approved Transitional Facility for 15 sea containers.

“None of the required biosecurity checks were done in full. In the end, 13 of the 15 sea containers were sent to what we’d describe as a grass paddock at a farm that would never be approved as a transitional facility.

“Placing sea containers that have not had complete biosecurity checks on to grass risks the potential for exotic pests that might be present in or on the container to get into New Zealand soil or vegetation.

“While we subsequently confirmed that no exotic pests were found in or on the 15 containers, the defendants took an unacceptable risk with New Zealand’s biosecurity,” Gary Orr says.

Biosecurity New Zealand

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Today is World Food Safety Day, and New Zealand Food Safety is reminding food businesses and consumers to be ‘prepared for the unexpected’.

“New Zealand has a strong food safety system, however from time to time, things can go wrong,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “Our readiness to respond when this happens is a key part of ensuring food is safe and suitable for the 5 million plus New Zealanders and millions overseas that enjoy our products.

“This year’s theme – prepare for the unexpected – is a timely reminder for food businesses and consumers that we can all play our part to be prepared for adverse events.”

New Zealand Food Safety works with food businesses to help them get ready to respond to potential food incidents, from conducting simulated food recalls to knowing what to do at a food business after natural disasters and emergencies.

Consumers can ensure they are prepared by signing up for food recall alerts to stay on top of recalled foods, and familiarising themselves with our information on food safety in the home during an emergency. 

“World Food Safety Day is also an opportunity to highlight our newly launched Listeria campaign that we hope will save lives and emphasise to our pregnant and older population (65+) that some risks are just not worth taking,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Have a look at symptoms of Listeria infection and our advice on how to avoid it

“We have also undertaken a survey into consumers’ food safety habits, which is informing our approach to protecting New Zealanders from getting sick from food. After all, everybody eats, and we want to help people prepare and enjoy food safely.

“One of the highlights of the survey is that 83% of people say they use the health star rating system when buying a packaged food or drink for the first time. We will be working with industry and consumers to continue to boost uptake.”

World Food Safety Day

Consumer Food Safety Insights Survey [PDF, 4.6 MB] 

Strong results for Health Star Rating in new consumer survey

Preparing and consuming food safety in a natural disaster or emergency

Sign up for food recall alerts

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Most consumers are already using the Health Star Rating (HSR) system to help them choose between packaged foods, according to a survey published today by New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS).

NZFS’s Consumer Food Safety Insights Survey found that 83% of people say they use HSR when buying a packaged food or drink for the first time. Of these, 61% say they use the front-of-pack labelling system at least half of the time, and 22% use it occasionally.

2023 Consumer Food Safety Insights Survey [PDF, 4.6 MB]

“It’s great to see so many Kiwis using our world-class Health Star Rating system to help them make healthier food choices at the supermarket,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “And we’re confident consumers will use it more often as more products display it.

“This is a clear message to the food industry that consumer demand for HSR exists and that food producers who use HSR will benefit too.”

HSR is used both here and in Australia to easily compare the nutritional value of packaged food of the same kind. Foods get more stars if they are lower in energy, saturated fat, sugar or salt, and higher in healthy nutrients and ingredients such as protein, fruits, vegetables, nuts or legumes. However, the rating isn’t intended to be used to compare different types of foods.

“People already understand that ice-cream is less healthy than apples. But if you want to buy ice-cream, the HSR system is there to help you make a healthier choice between the different ice-creams.”

The survey also found that 80% of people say they completely or somewhat trust the HSR system.

“This high level of consumer trust is something for manufacturers to consider. Kiwis use HSR, Kiwis trust HSR but, according to the latest uptake survey, only 30% of intended products currently carry HSR in New Zealand,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Uptake of the Health Star Rating system as at November 2023

“Right now, the HSR system is voluntary, but if uptake by manufacturers does not meet a 70% target by November next year, the Australian and New Zealand governments will consider making it mandatory.

“If you don’t see HSR on your preferred product, talk to the manufacturer about getting it on there.

“Let’s work together to hit that voluntary target and make it easier for busy Kiwis to make healthier food choices in a hurry.”

The Consumer Food Safety Insights Survey collected data from 1602 New Zealand consumers.

“A quarter of these respondents were Māori and another quarter Pasifika, ensuring our research really tapped into food safety attitudes, behaviours and practices in a New Zealand context,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Most consumers felt confident that food produced in New Zealand is safe to eat (81%), and that they can access healthy food options (77%).

In terms of which food concerns are top of mind for Kiwi consumers, food prices were number one, with 77% of respondents being concerned about them.

“The second-highest food concern was food poisoning. With it being World Food Safety Day tomorrow, it’s good to know Kiwis are taking food safety seriously.”

World Food Safety Day

Read more

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety wants people to take some practical steps to prevent a rare and life-threatening foodborne illness.

“While rare, every year people die from listeriosis – a disease caused by the bacterium Listeria – and the effects are tragic for their families,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Listeriosis can be prevented and there are simple steps people can take at home to avoid getting sick. So, today, we launch a campaign to help some of those most at risk – pregnant and older people – better understand the risks of listeriosis and what to do to decrease them.”

Listeriosis is a result of eating or drinking food that has high levels of Listeria, which is widespread in the environment.

Listeriosis is rare in New Zealand and cases are usually not connected, whereas cases in other countries are predominantly due to outbreaks.

In New Zealand, there were 4 deaths from listeriosis in 2021 and 6 in 2022, with 78 people hospitalised over those 2 years.

“Infections in healthy adults are unlikely to be severe, but listeriosis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature labour, stillbirth, or disease in the newborn baby,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“As you age – and particularly over 65 – your immune system gets weaker. This means foods you safely ate in the past may no longer be safe for you to eat.

“Some people may not be aware of this. So, we’re using our campaign to highlight higher-risk foods while sharing some food-safety advice on how to make them safe to eat.”

Higher-risk foods include:

• ready-to-eat meat products, like deli meats and pâtés
• smoked seafood (especially cold smoked fish)
• soft cheeses (like brie and camembert)
• uncooked paneer cheese
• unpasteurised dairy products (like raw milk and cheese)
• soft serve ice-cream
• some fruit (like melons)
• leafy greens and bagged salad (like mesclun and spinach)
• uncooked sprouts (like alfalfa and mung beans) and enoki mushrooms
• uncooked frozen vegetables
• some refrigerated foods with a long shelf life
• ready-to-eat cooked meals.

To lower the risk of getting listeriosis, you can:

• choose safer foods
• cook food thoroughly
• only eat fruit and vegetables that have been washed and dried thoroughly
• only eat food that was recently prepared
• refrigerate leftovers quickly
• preheat food to steaming hot (more than 70°C) before eating
• avoid eating leftovers that won’t be reheated
• wash and dry your hands thoroughly and follow good food hygiene practices.

“Friday is World Food Safety Day, and this year’s theme is ‘prepare for the unexpected’,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“New Zealand Food Safety requires food businesses to prevent Listeria in the processing environment and have measures in place to manage its presence.

“If something goes wrong, we support businesses with their consumer-level food recalls. Last year, there were 3 consumer recalls due to the possible presence of Listeria.

“But there’s also something you can do to be prepared for the unexpected. If you make or buy food for vulnerable people, or are perhaps vulnerable yourself, sign up to our food recall alerts.

“And look out for our campaign so you can share it with people who may not know the life-threatening risks of listeriosis.”

Find out more:

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Signing up to food recall alerts can help protect you and your family safe from unsafe food and prepare for the unexpected as World Food Safety day approaches, says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“The vast majority of the food we buy is safe to eat, but things can occasionally go wrong. Food recalls provide an important last line of defence for our food safety system.

“While recalls remove affected product from supermarket shelves, consumers need to know if they have affected products in their cupboards at home.

“Anyone can benefit from subscribing to our food recall alert emails through our website, but for some communities it can be even more important.

“Eating food containing harmful pathogens can have serious consequences for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, older people, and the very young. For these communities, having the latest information about potentially unsafe food can be the difference between getting very sick and staying well.

“Equally, mislabelled allergens remain the single most common reason for food recalls, so people with allergies can really benefit from prompt and accurate information.”

Find out more about food recalls and sign up for our alerts

See our full list of recalled products

Read our recently published food recalls annual reports

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

About this consultation

This consultation covers the next round of proposed changes to the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for Agricultural Compounds Food Notice. The notice:

• establishes MRLs for agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines (Schedule 1) to manage residues that may occur in food in New Zealand
• lists agricultural chemicals (Schedule 2) for which no MRL applies
• lists veterinary medicines (Schedule 3) for which no MRL applies.

Have your say

We want your feedback on:

• 5 proposals for new or amended maximum residue levels in Schedule 1
• one proposal for a new entry in Schedule 3.

Full details are in the consultation document. Submissions close at 5pm on 30 July 2024.

Consultation document

Proposals to amend the Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds Food Notice [PDF, 365 KB]

Related document

WTO notification – NZL 769 – SPS notification -Proposals to Amend the Maximum Residue Levels [PDF, 207 KB]

Background information about MRLs

Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are the maximum legal levels for residues of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand. As new products and uses are registered, new entries for MRLs and compounds for which no MRL applies are established, and existing entries are adjusted as needed. The MRLs are set to ensure that residue levels remain as low as practicable without compromising the ability for the chemical to successfully do what is intended.  

The food notice and its entries are established for agricultural compounds to support Good Agricultural Practice in New Zealand while ensuring risks associated with food safety are effectively managed. MRLs may also be proposed to support the importation of food into New Zealand.

Making a submission

Email your feedback on the consultation document by 5pm on 30 July 2024 to MaximumResidueLevels@mpi.govt.nz

Answer the following questions for any of the compounds for which changes to the notice are being proposed.

• On balance, do you oppose any of the details of the proposals, such as setting a MRL for a particular commodity or species?
• Do you oppose an MRL entry being established at all for this compound or for a commodity? If so, why do you oppose it?
• If an MRL is to be set for this compound for the commodity, do you disagree with the levels or conditions proposed? If so, why do you disagree?

Make sure you include in your submission:

• the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
• your name and title (if applicable)
• your organisation’s name (if applicable)
• your address
• the answers to the questions posed above for each compound you are commenting on.

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

MRL Amendments
New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety today removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish from the Inner Queen Charlotte Sound.

The area included from Anakiwa to West Head and Deiffenbach Point.

Further sampling of shellfish in the area has shown that PSP toxins are now at safe levels.

New Zealand Food Safety today also removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish Waiheke Island – Blackpool and Surfdale Beaches. Latest investigations have found that all evidence of the presence of the Cyanobacteria bloom has disappeared and shellfish are now safe to gather and consume.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Taranaki dairy farmer has been placed on 4 months home detention and disqualified from being in charge of animals for 18 months over a lack of feed and welfare which led to some animals being euthanised.

Ray Ernest Nairn (56) was sentenced in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday (21/5/24) after pleading guilty to 8 charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“Mr Nairn is an experienced farmer. He knew what his welfare responsibilities to his animals were and he failed them. Some of these animals were sick, emaciated and in such poor condition, the only option was to euthanise them. When we find evidence of deliberate animal neglect, we will take action and put the case before the court,” says MPI regional manager, animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Joanna Tuckwell.

In November 2021, an MPI animal welfare inspector and veterinarian inspected Mr Nairn’s 230 cattle following a complaint about their physical condition. They found some animals were severely underweight and in poor health because of a lack of grass cover and supplementary feed.

Several animals had to be euthanised including a heavily pregnant and emaciated Friesian cow. Another cow that was suffering from a longstanding mastitis infection was also euthanised. The veterinarian noted Mr Nairn had continued to milk this cow twice daily, despite it having an open and discharging wound. Seven other underweight dairy cows were found to be receiving insufficient feed to maintain milk production without further weight loss occurring. Furthermore, a severely lame cow was sent to a meat processing plant following treatment.

During the inspection, MPI animal welfare inspectors directed Mr Nairn to dry off some cows to enable the animals to recover to a healthy weight and prevent further suffering. Animal welfare inspectors returned to the farm a month later to check Mr Nairn was following the directions and found there were 2 cows that had not been dried off.

“Mr Nairn was directed to stop milking these cows, which he didn’t do, causing further suffering. Most farmers do right thing for their animals – providing sufficient and quality feed and timely veterinarian treatment. It’s disappointing that we had to again direct Mr Nairn to stop milking these cows for the sake of their welfare,” Joanna Tuckwell says.

Along with the home detention and disqualification sentence, a special condition imposed by the court was that Mr Nairn must undertake treatment and counselling as directed by the Department of Corrections. He was also ordered to pay $4,597.13 in veterinarian costs.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Blenheim based winemaker who smuggled Australian vines into New Zealand and planted them has been placed on 5 months community detention and fined $15,000.

James Garry Millton (67) was sentenced today on 2 charges under the Biosecurity Act that he pleaded guilty to in the Blenheim District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI).

In June 2019, Mr Millton took 2 cuttings from a Savagnin grapevine at a vineyard he was visiting in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. The variety was not present in New Zealand, and he wanted to cultivate it at his vineyard.

“Our biosecurity is multi-layered with checks and balances that stretch from the importing country, through the border, and into the supply chain within New Zealand,” said MPI’s director of investigations Gary Orr.

“The vines have since been destroyed and testing showed there was no exotic pathogens found, but Mr Milton was not to know that. 

“By breaking the rules in place to protect New Zealand from new pests and diseases he took an unacceptable risk. If there were pathogens present it could damage the industry and the opportunities and export dollars it brings into the country.”

Mr Milton submitted false information upon arrival and failed to declare the grapevine cuttings when arriving at Auckland International Airport.

“He lied when filling out a Passenger Arrival Card during his flight home and a biosecurity declaration that that he was not bringing in any plant or plant products. He knew this was false because he had the vines wrapped in plastic in his suitcase,” says Gary Orr.

Further investigation found that in 2020, Mr Millton had planted and grown the vines in a garden near his house in Gisborne. In 2021, he asked a nursery to graft him 134 cuttings, falsely telling the nursery that they were Chenin Blanc grapevine cuttings that he planted in the Millton Vineyard.

In 2023, Mr Millton also arranged for some cuttings of the illegal vines to be sent to him in Blenheim where he approached a nursery about grafting the cuttings, which it refused to do after making inquiries about the origins of the vines.

“By his own admission he knew what the requirements were for importing grapevine cuttings into New Zealand. The rules are there for a reason. When we find evidence of deliberate biosecurity risk – we will take action and in this case, place the matter before the court,” says Gary Orr.

More information on biosecurity in New Zealand can be found here:

Biosecurity New Zealand

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Foodstuffs Own Brand in its recall of Pams plant-based creamy pasta bake as the product may contain foreign matter (metal).

All batches and all dates are affected by this recall. The affected product is sold at selected Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’n Save, Trents and Raeward Fresh stores nationwide.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for more information about batch details and photographs of the affected product.

Food recall: Pams brand plant-based creamy tomato pasta bake

“If you have bought any of the affected product, do not consume it,” says New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop. “It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.”

“If you or your family member have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.”

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated injury.

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

The products under recall were identified through routine testing, and there have been no reports of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Pams to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Ms Bishop said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

Recalled food products list

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328