MDHB News

Public Health: Food Safety & Quality

To ensure that food is safe MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service carries out regulatory, promotional and investigative activities in both MidCentral’s region (Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the Good Health Wanganui region.

These activities are carried out in both MidCentral's region (Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua) and the Good Health Wanganui region.

Washing hands with liquid soap

Who delivers Food Safety & Quality Services?

Health Protection Officers (HPOs) are employees of the Public Health Service who are designated by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) under the Food Act 1981. This means that under various pieces of legislation they have certain powers and responsibilities to protect the health of the community.

What do Health Protection Officers do in Food Safety & Quality?

Food Complaints: Investigate public complaints regarding safety or quality of food related products and also supervise food recalls.
Food Poisoning: Investigate cases and outbreaks of food poisoning to identify the source, stop the spread of illness and prevent it happening again.
Labelling and Compliance: Check imported foods for compliance with standards and monitor accuracy of food labelling.
Liaison and Collaboration: Liaise with the food industry and work with other agencies like local bodies, Ministry of Health and NZFSA (New Zealand Food Safety Authority).
Shellfish Quality: Monitor shellfish on our coastline for marine biotoxins.
Food Safety Programmes (FSPs): Evaluate and approve FSPs submitted by food businesses.

Food Safety Promotion: Educate the public and food handlers on how to avoid food-borne illnesses from home sourced and commercial food.

Foodsafe Freddie promoting handwashing

Local authorities in our area:

Local authorities and health protection officers both have responsibilities and activities in respect of Food Safety and Quality. They often work closely together but in general the local authorities Food functions involve licensing and regulation while our health protection officers carry out surveillance, testing and investigation. (eg selling food must be conducted in a manner that complies with Regulations and Bylaws and generally requires a licence from the local authority but most Food and Foodborne Illness Complaints are followed up by the Health Protection Officers).

For further information about your councils activities contact them or see their website. Links to these sites are on our Environmental Health page.

For further information on Food Safety:

Information or publications (including “Umu Pasifika” and Hangi Preparation) can be obtained from the Public Health Unit, Palmerston North or the Public Health Center, Wanganui or accessed through the publications page on the NZFSA site below.

Foodsafe Partnership
New Zealand Food Safety Authority - NZFSA
4degreesC - Food news for the food industry
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Ministry of Health, New Zealand

Disclaimer:

MidCentral District Health Board is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing shall not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over availability of the linked pages.

Contact us:

MidCentral Region
Phone (06) 350 9110
Fax (06) 350 9111

Wanganui Region
Phone (06) 348 1775
Fax (06) 348 1783