Food Safety
Toi Te Ora Public Health Service provides a range of services aimed at promoting food safety to the public and the food industry. Part of our role is to ensure food produced in New Zealand is safe, suitable and meets all requirements.
Our health protection officers are responsible for the monitoring and compliance of food sold in New Zealand. This includes investigating food complaints, suspected food poisonings and monitoring imported food to ensure required standards are met.Complaints investigated by health protection officers include:
- Labelling, including date marking, health and nutritional claims
- Foreign matter
- Chemical residues
- Microbial contamination or spoilage
Complaints relating to product quality rather than safety should be referred to the commerce commission as they deal with issues under the Fair Trading Act, 1986.
Contact us for more information or to make a complaint related to food safety.
Health risks
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning, or food borne illness, is often caused by bacteria from food that has been incorrectly handled, stored or cooked. The food usually looks, tastes and smells normal. Some people are more at risk from food poisoning including young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with other illnesses.
Common symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Headaches
If you suspect you are suffering from food poisoning contact us.
Check out the resources below.
Keeping food safe
Around 120,000 people get sick every year in New Zealand from food. About 40% of sicknesses are thought to be caused by unsafe food handling practices in the home.
Food borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter as well as fungi, parasites, viruses and toxins that contaminate food.
It’s easy to reduce the risk of food borne illness by following four simple rules:
More resources
- Background information on foodborne illness
- How to Wash Your Hands Effectively
- How to keep food safe
- New Zealand Food Safety Authority
- Information on food tampering
Food Labelling
All food products sold in New Zealand are required to comply with the Food Act 1981.
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code sets the requirements for labelling and composition of food including claims.
Contact us if you would like clarification of the legal requirements for the labelling and composition of food, or would like to make a complaint regarding the labelling and composition of a food product.
