Category: New Zealand Government – Business

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Sugar Company, trading as Chelsea Sugar, has been fined $149,500 for manufacturing, distributing and selling sugar products contaminated with lead.

In November and December 2021, the company recalled thousands of packs of sugar products because of potential low level lead contamination.

Media release: New Zealand Food Safety to investigate sugar recalls

Two other product recalls were needed when it was later discovered New Zealand Sugar Company provided incorrect information to supermarkets, resulting in more sugar products being released to consumers.

“These recalls had a significant impact on consumer access to certain sugar products, such as brown sugar. It also affected a large number of other businesses which had to recall products made with the contaminated sugar,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

In the Auckland District Court, the company was sentenced on 2 charges it pleaded guilty to in May last year, including breaching its National Programme (NP) – designed to manage any food risk to consumers – along with negligently endangering, harming, creating, or increasing risk to consumers by distributing its product.

A sentencing hearing was held in September last year and the court has released its reserved decision today.

“New Zealand Sugar Company knew what its responsibilities were to consumers – ensuring the safety and suitability of its products and managing any potential risk to consumers.

“It failed to properly detect the extent of lead contamination until after the imported sugar had been used in production.

“Offending at this scale is rare, and the Court’s sentence today sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated,” says Vincent Arbuckle.

In September 2021, the New Zealand Sugar Company imported sugar from Australia that became contaminated with lead during sea transport. From this sugar it manufactured and distributed 971 tonnes of contaminated sugar products to businesses in New Zealand.

The sugar had been freighted to New Zealand from Australia aboard the cargo ship Rin Treasure – a vessel that had been used to ship metal sulphide concentrates (lead and zinc) on its previous voyage.

Before choosing this ship, New Zealand Sugar Company was advised the vessel failed a survey report on 3 September, meaning it was not fit to load and transport bulk sugar. Prior to its departure, the vessel was cleaned, and a cleanliness report certified the vessel’s hold was in a fit state for the stowage and carriage of raw sugar.

However, the cleaning was not effective, and the cargo of sugar became contaminated with lead during the journey from Queensland. This contamination may have been potentially exacerbated by a broken pipe aboard the vessel that spilled water into the sugar during the cargo unloading process by contractors.

Samples of the sugar were collected between 15 and 24 September for testing but New Zealand Sugar Company followed its normal process of producing sugar products from the cargo for distribution and sale.

“The test result on 7 October showed high readings of lead contamination, but rather than take immediate action and stop production and distribution, they instead sought more testing which confirmed the same result.

“Some of this product was sold between October and early November. We were not informed of the lead contamination until 3 November, which is unacceptable.

“New Zealand Sugar Company’s lack of definitive action resulted in a consumer level recall of sugar products on 4 November – around 6 weeks after the contaminated product arrived in New Zealand.

“Although the short-term exposure to increased lead levels through these sugar products  would not have endangered people’s health – we cannot afford to take a chance on public health,” says Vincent Arbuckle.

If you have concerns about a food product, you can contact New Zealand Food Safety on 0800 008 333 or use our online food complaint tool

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland woman has been fined $25,245 and an Auckland man has been ordered to do 300 hours’ community work for the illegal slaughter and sales of pigs.

Following a successful investigation and prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety, Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim (43) and Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola (38) were both sentenced in the Papakura District Court on 29 January on 7 charges under the Animal Products Act, and one charge under the Animal Welfare Act.

“This so-called homekill business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning they were operating without a risk management programme,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general, Vincent Arbuckle.

“By failing to do this, they avoided meeting vital checks and balances in our food safety system that are there to keep consumers safe.

“While someone buying one of these pigs may have considered it a great deal, their health was potentially put at risk because of the pair’s illegal behaviour.”

Following a complaint from a member of the public in July 2022 – concerning the welfare of pigs on a farm and claims they had seen farmers killing and selling pigs – an animal welfare inspector visited the property and spoke with Mr Vunipola. They observed butchering facilities and a whiteboard with the names of customers and details on pigs sold. This visit led to a wider investigation, which included a covert food safety investigator buying a live pig that would be killed on site for $310 cash in October 2022.

In November 2022, Mr Vunipola was served a Notice of Direction under the Animal Products Act prohibiting him from operating as a homekill provider as he did not have a registered risk management programme. He was provided education and information on how to operate legally, which he acknowledged understanding.

However, food safety investigators found the illegal slaughter and selling of pigs continued when another covert investigator was offered a pig for sale in November by Mr Vunipola’s associate, Ms Adimim, for which the food safety investigator paid $220 cash. Ms Adimim was served the same Notice of Direction as Mr Vunipola, but investigators found the sales continued, and charges were laid against the pair.

“This was an organised operation. During the period of investigation, it was found they illegally sold 222 pigs and 4 sheep, for which they earned nearly $60,000,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“The majority of operators in New Zealand follow the rules and understand the importance of doing so to keep consumers safe.

“When we find evidence of people deliberately flouting the law, we take action and there are consequences as we’ve seen from the court’s response.”

More information on the Code of Welfare: Commercial Slaughter

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 008 333.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Southland livestock grazing company has been fined $48,750 for allowing hundreds of cattle to graze in mud.

FFPM Grazing Limited earlier pleaded guilty to 4 charges (October 2024) under the Animal Welfare Act following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). They were sentenced in the Invercargill District Court today (23 January 2025). FFPM Grazing Limited was also ordered to pay MPI $15,000 in costs.

MPI’s director of compliance and response, Glen Burrell says the winter grazing practices at this property were appalling.

“Many of these animals, around 125, were stuck in mud to the extent that they were not able to display normal animal behaviour like walking and turning freely to access feed or rest in dry areas.

“The farm was running more than 2,000 head of stock on a relatively small area of land, and this contributed to the creation of mud and animal welfare problems.

“Most farmers work hard to do the right thing and have improved their winter grazing practices over recent years. This case is an important reminder to plan ahead and get on top of problems before they develop. A well-planned winter grazing system supports good animal health and welfare. It ensures animals have sufficient and appropriate feed, access to plenty of clean water, and the ability to move freely to and from their feed and water.”

Animal welfare inspectors visited a leased property near Tuatapere following a complaint about the animals there.

“Their coats were caked in mud, they didn’t have a suitable dry lying area and when they were lying down, they were lying in mud. There’s little insulation for an animal in mud and the animals were susceptible to the cold.

“MPI’s investigation found former farm workers at the property warned the company and directors who leased the property against using silage stacks. The property owner reiterated these concerns to one of the grazing company directors, but no action was taken.”

“Silage stacks concentrate feed in one area, meaning the animals will have to walk to that same area to access feed which potentially creates more mud. The better practice is to move silage regularly to dry areas for the animals.

“Our investigation also found that FFPM knew of a cattle beast dying in mud but made no changes to its grazing operation.”

Both farm workers who initially warned the company resigned from their jobs. Three new farm workers were employed, and they were directed to move dairy cows to pasture areas only on dry days.

Two farm workers became so concerned about the welfare of the animals they moved stock out of the muddy paddocks. The company reacted by directing them to return the animals to the muddy paddocks.

“We continue to engage with farmers and industry about winter grazing and have seen some good progress. We proactively visited numerous properties throughout Southland during winter 2024 and found most farmers were on top of their winter grazing requirements with good plans in place.

“Our message to those who do not properly manage this issue is that there will be consequences.”

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 008 333.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland food producer and manager have been fined a total of $16,500 after failing to keep food production records.

All food businesses must have and follow a plan to manage any potential food safety risk to consumers, and the records must be kept for a minimum of 4 years.

Soma & Sons Limited, which trades as Tasty Foods, along with manager Bhavesh Soma (34) were yesterday (20 January 2025) sentenced in the Auckland District Court on 2 charges under the Food Act, following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety.

Soma & Sons Ltd were fined $13,500 for failing to comply with their Food Control Plan and Mr Soma was fined $3,000 for providing false information to a food safety officer.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general, Vincent Arbuckle says Soma & Sons is an experienced food producer and under its Food Control Plan, it is expected to record samosa cooling and cooking temperatures.

“The rules are there for a reason – to protect consumer health and the vast majority of food businesses do the right thing. Good record keeping is an important part of a food safety culture and ensures that if there was a food safety risk to consumers, we’d be able to access records and quickly find the origin. Poor record keeping makes this challenging and increases the risk to people’s health.”

In March 2021, a trade level food recall of fully cooked samosas was undertaken because the samosas found on site were being stored at an unsafe temperature and there were no records available for cooking and cooling temperatures.

An investigation by New Zealand Food Safety found Soma & Sons Ltd did not record cooling and cooking temperatures as part of its Food Control Plan on 4 occasions between 2020 and 2022.

“While we are not aware of anyone becoming ill from eating these products, the absence of records means there is no assurance that the plan is being followed. New Zealand Food Safety visited Soma & Sons Ltd several times and made it clear what was required, but they deliberately failed to act. It’s very disappointing to see this disregard for consumer health. New Zealand Food Safety will continue to hold such businesses to account to ensure consumers are protected and to demonstrate to the vast majority of food businesses that do the right thing, that the overall system is being monitored.”

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A dedicated team at MPI has completed the first phase of an investigation into allegations of mistreatment of sheep connected to shearing practices, says Glen Burrell, director Compliance and Response at MPI.

“Our team has analysed 235 video files and we continue to speak to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), industry groups and farm owners, and have also made proactive visits to farms,” says Mr Burrell.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and cooperation so far.

“We have identified some instances in the video footage which are very concerning, and these are our focus in the next phase of the investigation.

“There are a range of actions we can take in response, to ensure the protection of animals and to hold those who mistreat animals to account. In this case it could include prosecution and disqualifying individuals from working with animals.”

Separate to the investigation, MPI is working with wool sector groups to establish an oversight group to support good animal welfare practice and continuous improvement in the industry.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe will remain in place for the next few weeks as part of the response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly earlier this month, says Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north Mike Inglis.

“We’ve had fantastic support from the South Auckland community and sector groups to date, and we’re asking for that to continue just a little longer out of an abundance of caution. It is vital to our success in keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand,” Mike Inglis says.

“To date, no other Oriental fruit flies have been found in surveillance traps, which is very encouraging.

“We’ll continue to regularly check fruit fly traps, and specialist staff in our mobile field laboratory will cut up and inspect fruit and vegetables collected in the area for any signs of larvae. So far more than 200kg of produce has been examined.”

Mr Inglis says it’s anticipated the restrictions will remain in place until mid-February.

“This is so we can be confident that we are not dealing with a breeding population. This timeframe is based on scientific advice about the life cycle of the Oriental fruit fly,” Mr Inglis says.   

There is no change to the current movement rules that are in place. The A and B Zone areas in Papatoetoe will remain the same and the instructions on the disposal of produce waste remain unchanged. More detail on these zones is on our website.

Oriental fruit fly detected in Auckland

“Those legal controls prohibit the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found. The restrictions are a critical precaution to protect our horticultural sector and exports,” Mr Inglis says.

“There have been 12 previous fruit fly incursions in New Zealand which we have successfully eradicated, so we have very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work.

“The fruit fly poses no risk to human health, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here.”

For media enquiries, call 029 894 0328

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.