Food
Registering a food business
Any person establishing a new business, or a change in ownership of an existing business will require the operator to register either a Food Control Plan or a National Programme.
It is recommended that operators first view the information at Ministry of Primary Industries Food Act Overview and use the "My Food Rules?" tool, then book an appointment with an Environmental Officer of Health to confirm the registration process if required.
You will need to complete the Scope of Operations document prior to submitting the Application for Registration under the Food Act 2014. The scoping document ensures that you apply for the registration that is most applicable to your business.
If a business changes hands, the new owner will need to register under the Food Act 2014.
- If you are discharging into the wastewater system you will need to contact Trade Waste 0800 357 358. For more information, check out our Trade Waste page.
- You will need to ensure your business is a permitted activity in regards to Planning, contact our Duty Planner to seek advise or check out the Planning and Resource Consents page.
- If you have done building work, or are changing the use of the premises you will also need to comply with the Building Code. Contact our Technical Building Compliance Officer or check out the Building Compliance page.
- If you choose to park your food van on a public road in our district, you will need to obtain a mobile traders permit from our road corridor team.
For more information, contact our Customer Support Team on 0800 924 723.
Changes to the Simply Safe and Suitable template
The Simply Safe and Suitable template food control plan is changing. All food businesses must update specific cards/pages by 30 June 2023 and adjust to the new plan by 20 February 2024.
Some fundamental changes to the plan are:
- changing the pH requirements for acidified rice in the 'Making sushi' card
- adding time/temperature requirements for hot smoking seafood
- allowing food businesses to prove their method for cooling freshly cooked food, and reheating food
- expanding the scope of the 'Using acid to control bugs' requirements to allow for more than just pickling of meat, fruits and vegetables
- updating the visual description of the 2-hour/4-hour requirement
- adding a visual description of the cooling freshly cooked food requirement
You can get the updated cards and plan by:
- Downloading individual cards or the full plan from the Ministry of Primary Industries website or
- Purchase the hardcopy A4 size Template from the Council Offices for $30.00
If you have any questions, please contact the Environmental Health Team on 0800924723.
Food safety law
Legislation is necessary to protect the health of customers. It helps ensure that all food businesses meet requirements that will enable them to produce and sell safe food.
Legislation that presently applies to food businesses is the Food Act 2014.
The Act is concerned with the sale of food that is fit to eat. The Regulations specify conditions that have to be met if food is to be produced for sale. They also detail practices that the business owner ('the occupier') must follow to prevent food contamination, food poisoning and the spread of communicable disease.
Visit the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries for full information on food safety law and regulations.
Selling at market
Before you can operate a market in a public place, you'll need to get approval under our public places bylaw first.
If you plan to sell food you may also need to be registered as a food premise under The Food Act 2014.
