To learn about the impact of the new Food Act 2014 on their operations, a group of Taumarunui and Ohakune businesses which sell, make or transport food last week attended a workshop run by Ruapehu District Council and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
More than 50 people attended to find out what the new law means for their business or organisation.
The companies participating in the Food Act workshops now understand exactly where they fit in under the new regulations and whether they operate under a food control plan or a national programme.
Ruapehu environmental health officer Phoebe Harrison said that in addition to Ruapehu’s hospitality and producer sectors the new Act affects anyone else involved in the selling, making or transportation of food.
“This means that some areas involved in the food supply chain that has previously fallen through the cracks, such as school canteens, hostels, people making preserves and baking at home to sell now all need to meet the new requirements,” says Harrison
“The workshops highlighted a need for more work on how ski lodges will fit into the new Act, with some using contractors to prepare meals, some employing chefs and some allowing members to make their food,” she says.
“MPI was able to take away a list of scenarios from the workshops regarding the lodges that will be used to help prepare some guidance on how to proceed,” says Harrison.
Harrison says the council is happy that so many businesses took advantage of MPI being at the workshops and came along to have their questions answered directly from the experts.
“Businesses who attended now understand exactly where they fit in under the new regulations and whether they operate under a food control plan or a national programme,” she says.
“Because the Act is not a one-size-fits-all approach and aims to regulate businesses according to risk there has been some confusion about where individual companies fit in,” says Harrison.
“Anyone who was unable to come along and has outstanding questions should call the Environmental Health team here at council so we can assist,” she says.
There are plans for further workshops later in the year.
