Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Zany Zeus Limited in its recall of a specific batch of its Halloumi cheese due to the possible presence of Bacillus cereus.

Zany Zeus Limited brand Halloumi with a best before date of 08.04.2024 is affected by this recall.

Up-to-date details of products affected by the recall, including photographs, are available on our food recall page.

Food recall: Zany Zeus Halloumi Cheese

“The concern with the Halloumi cheeses is that there may be Bacillus cereus present,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Symptoms of sickness caused by Bacillus cereus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

“Illness occurs 1 to 6 hours after eating contaminated food. Most people get better within 6 to 24 hours.”

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

“Affected product should not be eaten. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.”

The recalled products are being removed from shelves at stores nationwide. 

Bacillus cereus was discovered as a result of routine testing. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notification of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Zany Zeus Limited to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards finalists have been announced and highlight the inspiring and diverse biosecurity activities that are happening across New Zealand.

The awards celebrate the incredible people who are working hard to help ensure New Zealand is safe from unwanted pests and diseases.

“It’s the work of people and organisations like our finalists that help safeguard our layered biosecurity system,” says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

“With the help of New Zealanders, we continue to ensure our biosecurity system remains resilient, effective and world leading. There are countless examples of people who are making significant contributions to protecting our economy, taonga and unique environment.

“The awards are our way of celebrating the people and organisations who are making these outstanding contributions to our biosecurity system.”

Mr Anderson says the finalists represent a wide range of individuals, iwi and community groups, and cover a host of projects that help protect New Zealand from pests and diseases.

“It’s pleasing to see a higher number of community groups who are devoting their time and passion to this work.

“The judging panel has told us that selecting the finalists from each category was a challenging task.”

Chair of the judging panel Edwin Massey said every entrant deserves recognition.

“We received a diverse range of entries from people and organisations who are incredibly focused on delivering exceptional outcomes through their biosecurity projects. Their mahi is fundamental and every day they are putting in hard work.

“They’re encouraging a true team effort, tackling everything from large-scale projects in challenging environments, to developing unique and exciting learning opportunities for students. All entrants are going above and beyond to protect and strengthen biosecurity in New Zealand.”

The winners will be announced at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards event in Wellington on 8 April.

More details about the finalists can be found on the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards page.

New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Ko Tātou This Is Us

2023 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards finalists

BioHeritage Challenge Community Award

• Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust – Feral Goat Eradication
• Ōkārito GorseBusters Charitable Trust – Ōkārito GorseBusters
• Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust – Restoring and Protecting Tākaka Hill Ecosystems

Te Uru Kahika Māori Award

• Aki Tai Here
• Te Whakahononga
• Viki Heta and Arana Rewha

Biosecurity New Zealand Science Award

• Marine Biosecurity Toolbox Research Programme
• Ngā Rākau Taketake – saving our Iconic Trees from Kauri Dieback and Myrtle
• AgResearch – Animal Health Solutions Team

GIA Industry Award

• Aquaculture New Zealand – A+ Biosecurity Standards
• Sails for Science NZ – Northland Students United in Marine Pest Detection
• Veritag – bringing the Private Sector into the M. bovis Programme

Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award

• AsureQuality Ltd – Black-grass response team 2022-2023
• The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)- Caulerpa Biosecurity Response Team
• Waikato Regional Council – Kauri Protection Programme

Biosecurity New Zealand Kura (School) Award

• Maeroa Intermediate School – Gully Restoration Project
• Waitaria Bay School – Pest Free Playground
• Western Springs College – Ngā Puna o Waiōrea – Waitītiko Awa Restoration

Mondiale VGL Innovation Award

• Auckland Council – Ruru conservation Information System
• EcoNet Charitable Trust – the innovative EcoNet CAMS Weeds toolkit
• Te Ara Hīkoi (Predator Free Franklin) – Tāwhiti Smart Cage

AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award

• Bevan Morgan
• Keeley Grantham – Te Arawa Lakes Trust
• Reema Chawla – Harman Impex NZ Ltd

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

Have your say

Biosecurity New Zealand is proposing changes to the requirements for importing mangosteen and rambutan plants for planting.

We appreciate the replies and information we got during the first consultation on the risk management proposal.

First consultation: Proposed imports of mangosteen and rambutan plants for planting

We have reviewed and considered the submissions received about the measures proposed in the first consultation. As a result, we have drafted amendments to the mangosteen and rambutan requirements in the nursery stock import health standard.  An import health standard is the legislative document that specifies the requirements for importing.

We now seek your feedback on the amended requirements for plants of mangosteen and rambutan. The amended requirements are located in 2 new schedules: Garcinia and Nephelium lappaceum. Those schedules are in the draft nursery stock import health standard.

The consultation is open for submissions from 27 February 2024 until 5pm, 19 March 2024.

Consultation documents

Draft import health standard [PDF, 3.3 MB]

Note: The new schedules for Garcinia and Nephelium lappaceum are in the draft import health standard.

WTO notification

NZL 757 – Add 1 – SPS Notification – Mangosteen and rambutan plants for planting [PDF, 114 KB]

Making a submission

We’re happy to discuss the changes we’re proposing at any time until the consultation closes. To arrange a phone or a video call, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz

You can give us feedback by completing our online survey or by emailing us.

We want to hear your feedback, technical information, industry knowledge, and suggestions on the:

• measures we’re proposing and the extent to which they will manage the risk of imported mangosteen and rambutan plants
• feasibility of importing under the proposed requirements
• understandability of the draft import health standard.

The consultation closes at 5pm, 19 March 2024.

Online survey

Complete our online survey

Email

Send your submissions to plantimports@mpi.govt.nz

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New requirements to make it easier for people to find information about common allergies on food labels come into effect on Sunday.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle says the changes are good news for people with food allergies.

“For the up to 8% of New Zealanders who have food allergies the consequences of eating the wrong food can be serious, from swelling, hives and vomiting to anaphylaxis.

“People lead busy lives so food labelling needs to be as simple, clear and easy to find as possible to be effective.

“Food Safety Australia New Zealand, with input from New Zealand Food Safety, got valuable feedback from people affected by food allergies to help make sure the changes were effective and practical,” says Mr. Arbuckle.

All food packaged and labelled after Sunday 25 February 2024 must declare allergens or provide statements about the contents where appropriate. The requirements will vary depending on how the food is packaged, labelled and sold and risk that needs to be identified. Under the changes, potentially life-threatening common allergens must be listed in bold in the ingredients list and summarised in a ‘contains’ statement on the label.

Any food packaged and labelled before 25 February 2024 under the previous allergen labelling rules can continue to be sold until 25 February 2026.

Foods at cafes or restaurants including takeaways are not required to be labelled but must be displayed with the food such as listed on the menu, or provided to the customer on request.

Find out more labelling on our website.

Allergen declarations, warnings, and advisory statements on food labels

If you have questions about allergen labelling, email info@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call Ministry for Primary Industries (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 Far North farming couple has been fined $29,000 and banned from dairy farming over a lack of feed and poor treatment of their farm animals.

Mathew Hudson (78) and Josette Eleanor Hudson (73) were sentenced in the Kaitaia District Court this week (20/2/24) after pleading guilty to 4 charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) regional manager, animal welfare and NAIT compliance north, Brendon Mikkelsen, says animal welfare inspectors visited the Hudsons’ farm in September 2020, following a complaint about the poor condition of their dairy herd and lack of feed.

“One of their cows was found suspended in hip clamps, because it was severely underweight and incapable of supporting its own weight. The animal was suffering pain and distress for days from the abrasions on its bony hip area and it was euthanised to end its suffering.

“People in charge of animals are responsible for their health and wellbeing at all times. The Hudsons had kept this animal alive when they knew the animal was in extremely poor health and they did nothing until they were directed to by animal welfare inspectors.”

Animal welfare inspectors found their cattle were producing less than 5 litres per cow per day, considerably less than they would be capable of if appropriately fed. Grass cover at their farm was uniformly low, and they were not providing supplementary feed to their dairy herd.

The inspectors concluded the Hudsons failed to provide proper and sufficient feed to all their animals. Of the 242 cattle at the farm, 69 cows were below the minimum standard of Body Condition Score, meaning they were too thin and needed urgent action to improve their condition.

“The Hudsons are experienced farmers who knew their responsibility to their animals and failed to live up to it. One of these cows was so thin, Mr Hudson used a tractor to drag it from a drain it was stuck in – leaving the animal with significant open wounds which were not treated.

“When we find evidence of neglect and cruelty to production animals – we will prosecute. Most farmers do the right thing for their animals – providing supplementary feed when needed and timely veterinarian care,” Brendon Mikkelsen says.

In addition to the fines, the Court ordered the Hudsons to pay $18,213.72 in costs for veterinarian services and farm consultant fees.

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

Have your say

This consultation is run by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Review of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act) is a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of the Act and the associated operations and responsibilities of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is leading the review of the FSANZ Act.

FSANZ is the independent agency responsible for developing and administering standards within the Food Standards Code for both Australia and New Zealand.

This consultation seeks feedback on the early assessment impact analysis, which outlines a series of reform components to be considered as part of the FSANZ Act review. The reform components are grouped under 4 themes:

• purpose and objectives of FSANZ
• reforming standard-setting
• efficient and effective options
• improving system agility.

The consultation will inform the final model of reform for the FSANZ Act review.

Background to the Australia New Zealand joint food regulation system

New Zealand and Australia have a unique shared regulatory system that sees us jointly developing food composition and labelling policy and standards. This is based on the agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand establishing a System for the Development of Joint Food Standards (the Joint Food Treaty). 

Food law, treaties, and agreements – FSANZ

Making your submission

The consultation opened on 15 February 2024 and will close on 4 April 2024.

All consultation documents, further information, and instructions for making a submission are on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Review of the FSANZ Act 1991 (impact analysis) – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Who to contact

If you have questions about this consultation, email fsanzactreview@health.gov.au

If you have questions on New Zealand’s role in the joint system, email transtasman@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Australia-New Zealand cooperation and the Food Treaty

Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 – Federal Register of Legislation (Australia) 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Waimata Cheese Company Limited in its recall of a specific batch of its Camembert and Brie cheeses due to the possible presence of E. coli.

The following products with batch number 8367 and a best before date of 28/02/24 are affected by this recall:

• Waimata Cheese brand Camembert
• Longbush Camembert
• Longbush Brie.

Up-to-date details of products affected by the recall, including photographs, are available on our food recall page.

Food recall: Waimata Cheese brand Camembert, Longbush Brie and Longbush Camembert

“The concern with these cheeses is that there may be E. coli bacteria present,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s acting deputy director general Jenny Bishop.

“Symptoms of sickness caused by E. coli include stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Some people feel sick and vomit. 

“Most people get better within 5 to 7 days, but the effects can be serious for people with weakened immune systems, including the very young, frail older people, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant people. 

“E. coli can travel easily and fast from person to person if infected people do not wash their hands properly.

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

“Affected product should not be eaten. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.”

The recalled products are being removed from shelves at stores nationwide. 

E. coli was discovered as a result of routine testing. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notification of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Waimata Cheese Company Limited to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Ms Bishop said.

For further information and general enquiries, call Ministry for Primary Industries (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

Cruise ships visiting New Zealand this summer are doing a good job of meeting our strong biofouling standards and protecting our unique marine environment, says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

“This season to date, only one of the 54 cruise vessels expected to arrive here for approximately 1,100 port visits has not entered New Zealand waters because it was unable to meet our biofouling standards, which are vital for protecting our marine ecosystems and economy,” Mr Anderson says.

“Three other non-compliant vessels had restricted itineraries and were subject to further education.”

Mr Anderson says the four non-compliant vessels this summer compares to 11 for the 2022/23 cruise season, when a smaller number of ships and port visits took place.

“The drop in biofouling issues is a good result when you consider there’s been an increase of about 25% in vessels arriving this season,” Mr Anderson says.

“Biosecurity New Zealand has worked closely with cruise companies to help them understand and meet our biofouling rules, which are among the strongest in the world for good reason – they ensure visitors and New Zealanders will enjoy our special marine areas, such as Fiordland, for generations to come.

“We’ve had some new cruise providers arrive in New Zealand this year and they’ve adapted well to meeting our requirements.

“I want to thank the cruise industry for their efforts to combat biofouling as it continues to be a major biosecurity threat. We know that almost 90% of the exotic marine species already in New Zealand likely arrived here as marine growth on the submerged surfaces of international vessels.”

Mr Anderson says Biosecurity New Zealand will review the season when it finishes in April and adjust where required.

“We’re committed to protecting New Zealand from pests and disease to protect our vital primary sectors, economy, and unique areas for future generations.”

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

Background to this consultation

We are seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Importation of Nursery Stock (155.02.06) standard to manage the risk of phytoplasmas on imported ornamental plants for planting (nursery stock). Phytoplasmas can cause disease in many plant species, so they are a pest of concern to New Zealand.

Our consultation document explains how the proposed changes manage the risk of phytoplasmas and asks for feedback on these proposed changes. After we have received all your feedback and finalised the changes, we will send out a draft of the amended import health standard for you to read and give feedback on again.

Have your say

From 30 January to 12 March 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comments on the proposed measures and subsequent changes to the import health standard.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation document.

We are particularly interested in feedback on the following questions:

1. Are our proposed measures feasible? If not, why and which other measures would you propose?
2. Do you foresee any consequences of these measures that we have not addressed in this proposal? If so, which ones?
3. Is there a risk we have not considered? If so, which one? Provide scientific evidence to support your answer so we can review it.
4. Is there any other information you think we should consider before we draft the changes to the standard?

Consultation document

 Proposed measures to manage phytoplasmas on ornamental plants for planting – Importation of Nursery Stock IHS (155.02.06) [PDF, 770 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 12 March 2024 to PlantImports@mpi.govt.nz

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 you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
• your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

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

Plant Germplasm Imports
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is drafted. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Next steps

After we have considered all submissions, we will draft the IHS and open a second consultation so you can provide your feedback again before we publish it.   

Find out more about the process of developing an IHS

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

Find out more

Steps to importing nursery stock

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety has lifted the public health warning advising against collecting shellfish on the east coast of the North Island, from Cape Runaway to Wairoa River mouth. However, the public health warning remains in place for lobster caught between Hicks Bay and Mahanga Beach near Mahia.

“Our testing of shellfish has established that concerning levels of paralytic shellfish toxin on the east coast of the North Island have dropped to safe limits again,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“However, lobster samples from near Gisborne and Tokomaru Bay taken by the Rock Lobster Industry Council are still coming back over the limit. Paralytic shellfish toxins can accumulate in the gut and intestine of lobster, but not the tail and leg meat. So, if you are wanting to eat lobster caught between Hicks Bay and Mahanga Beach, our advice is to not eat the gut contents. Remove the gut (mustard and intestinal cord in the tail) before cooking because the toxins can spread into the flesh during the cooking process.

“Rock lobster available for sale at supermarkets or retail outlets is not affected.

“It’s great news that people on the East Coast will again be able to gather and enjoy most kaimoana safely.”

The warning was first issued on 12 October 2023 after routine New Zealand Food Safety testing and was extended along the coastline after follow-up tests showed biotoxins levels up to 12 times the safe limit in some areas.

See a map of the East Coast lobster warning

“Public health warnings are an important mechanism in our food safety system here in Aotearoa – it’s how we spread the word about toxins in shellfish to help prevent people getting sick,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“These toxins can cause serious illness if you eat affected shellfish, especially in children and in the elderly. Importantly, cooking does not remove the toxin.”

Paralytic shellfish poisoning can cause numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

“Thankfully, we received no notification of associated illness.

“But, as you keep enjoying collecting kaimoana over the summer, please do look out for our public health warnings at the beach, or you can sign up to get our shellfish biotoxin alerts directly through the MPI website. You can also check our Shellfish biotoxin alert webpage.

“We also have the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app, which is a great companion for fishers, and includes information about biotoxin warnings.”

Find out more about how to safely gather and consume shellfish

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

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]