What do avocado growers need to do?

If, before 1 March 2016, they were already in the business of selling avocados, no further action is required at this stage. Existing horticultural food businesses will transition to the new requirements between 1 July 2018 and 28 February 2019. 

New avocado growers who commence the business of selling avocados after 1 March 2016 will need to apply to their local council from 1 March 2016 to register as a national programme level 1 business, prior to selling the avocados. 

National programmes

The Avocado Industry Council says that working under a national programme is the way that lower-risk food businesses operate under the Food Act 2014. There are three levels of national programmes, which are based on the food safety risk of the activities that a business does. Horticultural food producers and horticultural packing operations (packhouses) are deemed lower risk and are classified under national programme Level 1.

All national programmes require:

• Registration of business details with a local council;
• Compliance with relevant Food Regulations and Notices;
• Record keeping to show you’re growing and selling safe food;
• One or more visits from a verifier recognised by MPI.

Existing food safety schemes

National programme  Level1 requirements are the minimum legal requirements that must be met meet. Those who belong to an existing food safety scheme, for example, NZGAP, it is likely that they will already meet thsee requirements.  

Food Act Transition period

The Food Act 2014 comes into force on 1 March 2016. It applies to all new food businesses from that date but existing horticultural food businesses will transition to the new requirements between 1 July 2018 and 28 February 2019. An application for registration should be made no later than three months before the end of the transition period, which in this case is 30 November 2018. 

Further information

Further information on the Food Act 2014 and National Programme Level 1 registration process can be found at www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-act-2014.  

Avocado growers who have questions about registering as a national programme Level 1 business for avocados, please contact Bevan Jelley via email or phone 07 571 6147.