FOOD SAFETY FAQ
Every business is unique and each situation is different so please have a read through the below and let me know if you cant find what you’re looking for…
Food products and operations remain a confidential industry so it is not possible to share too much information here, but I am happy to discuss your individual needs. Get in touch, knowing your situation will be kept confidential.
How do I get started?
What ever the project you have in mind, food safety can seem overwhelming. The more you look into each topic, the more detail there seems to be.
Focus on the desired outcome with high level action plans to start the delegation process. Where delegation is not possible, learn to balance everyday tasks with measured progress systems.
Let me help you get your most passionate food project ideas off the ground.
Unsure
Where do I fit? Having trouble with the tools used to find out where you fit and what plan or programme your business might need to follow, or unsure if you may be exempt from registration in relation to the Food Act 2014? It is common to not be familiar with using the tools or understanding where you fit within legal requirements. Often a business has unique operational or product components that add to the confusion.
MPI: Exemptions from Food Act Requirements
Solutions
Struggling to come up with simple solutions?
Do you often think - there must be an easier way to do this? How can I work smarter, not harder? You may need to untangle the complexity of food safety.
Sometimes it is as simple as asking yourself “why” you do something a certain way and what the outcome means?
Complexity
Is your business a multisite, many various product groups, trading items not just manufacturing, brand owner but not handling products? You will need to understand how each aspect of legislation applies.
Are you adding a new operation or process, a new production line or piece of new equipment? Are you building an add on to your premises or moving? Do you have a new product or a variation to a product? How do these changes affect your registration or how do you incorporate this into your current operation, update documentation correctly and manage the changes?
Merging systems can be overwhelming. I can provide an easy systematic approach to merging or changing systems. Detangling your food safety system is my specialty.
Understanding programme layout and structure is the key to making compliance simple.
Support early stages of a food business and beginners to the food industry.
Technical complexities in food testing, validation results analysis or HACCP can be challenging.
Take the headache out of simplifying and developing plans, programmes and the initial or updating process relating to registrations.
Problems
Who do you contact when things go wrong - Do you understand your legal obligations and consequences?
Who do you contact in confidence?
Has something actually gone wrong? How do I fix it and get back on track?
Should you legally notify authorities or are you not sure if it has got to that point?
Has the advice I’ve been given correct? How do I know and how do I check?
Food Recall Assistance
Need help preparing for a potential recall, or are you already about to complete a recall and need more help to ensure you have completed it correctly. Have you considered your operational and reporting requirements after a recall? Check out this link for some helpful material:
Traceability Requirements
Having trouble understanding traceability and its complexity?
Do you know how reliable your traceability system is?
Does your traceability only cover some of your operation?
Do I need to be able to trace everything?
What is the impact to my business if I don’t have 100% traceability?
Food Control Plan
Do I actually need a customised Food Control Plan or My Food Plan? There may only be one aspect of your business that puts you in this category. Understanding where you fit and why, can help you make informed decisions.
How much will my compliance costs be? I can help you understand what frequencies of verification apply to you and how you can ensure you stay at the lesser possible verification frequency.
National Programme
Where do I fit? I have no idea where to start and how to determine what national programme my business should operate. What guidance material is available and what about the forms I can use?
Try this tool first. I would be happy to help you work through this.
Legalities
What parts of the food legislation apply to you?
New Zealand food businesses can be complex and may have various operations requiring multiple compliance requirements. Speaking with me before you make any decisions that may impact your business, will ensure you have considered the appropriate action to take.
Internal Audits
Is it a good idea to complete this once a year, or is it better to break down the frequency of internal audits?
What should I focus on? Don’t get caught up in the detail - learn how to prioritize and create meaningful action plans.
How do I engage management commitment?
Are internal audits the same as premises reviews and GMP audits or hygiene inspections?
Audits can seem like a daunting prospect, so let me help guide you through the process for your own piece of mind.
Allergens
How do you know you have the correct allergen labeling?
Are my “free from” label claims OK?
How do you know your procedures are being followed, and what can you do to verify this?
How can you make changes to your current allergen procedures to make things better?
Need help to use the VITAL tool?
How do I update to Plain English Allergen Labelling?
Need to talk to someone in confidence about a potential allergen issue?
Allergen Bureau: Food Allergen Management Guidance
Allergen Bureau: Food Allergen Fundamentals
Allergen Bureau: Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management and Labelling