New Zealand Food Safety Seeks Public Input on Enhanced Import Regulations for Frozen Berries

In response to growing concerns over food safety, New Zealand Food Safety is considering significant changes to the import requirements for frozen berries. They are inviting comments on proposed alterations that could elevate the regulatory interest in frozen berries from “increased regulatory interest (IRI)” to “high regulatory interest (HRI).”

These new rules are intended to apply to a wide range of frozen berries, including blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, currants, raspberry, and strawberry, as well as mixed frozen foods containing these berries, ready to eat (RTE) products. However, it does not encompass RTE frozen berries that have undergone treatment to eliminate hazards, like norovirus and hepatitis A virus, provided evidence of such treatment is available. Additionally, it excludes RTE frozen processed foods containing berries, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, and desserts.

The key points of these proposed changes include:

• 18-Month Transition Period: New Zealand Food Safety is considering an 18-month transition period from the effective date of the new notice. During this period, importers of frozen berries can opt to comply with either the existing regulations or the new, more stringent clearance conditions.

• Rationale for Stricter Controls: The move towards stricter controls stems from New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to enhance its understanding of microbiological food safety risks related to frozen fruits and vegetables, including berries. Multiple studies have underscored the need for stronger risk management measures in the import of frozen berries to protect public health.

• Hepatitis A Outbreak: A hepatitis A outbreak in 2022 and 2023, linked to imported frozen berries, which affected 39 people, further emphasizes the urgency of these changes.

• E. coli Testing Removal: The proposal intends to eliminate E. coli testing as a means of satisfying border clearance requirements for RTE frozen berries. This is due to E. coli’s inadequacy as an indicator of the presence of viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A. The shift aims to expedite consignment clearance and reduce the costs associated with laboratory testing.

• New Risk Management Approach: New Zealand Food Safety is pivoting towards a new risk management approach. It focuses on ensuring that importers source RTE frozen berries from overseas manufacturers with robust food safety management systems and processes to identify and control hazards in berries.

• Third-Party Certificates: The proposal also introduces the use of third-party certificates issued by accredited certification bodies to satisfy clearance requirements, in line with Australia’s RTE berry import requirements.

As New Zealand Food Safety addresses the evolving landscape of food safety and related risks, public input is sought to shape these proposed changes. The goal is to strengthen oversight and safety in the import of frozen berries, ultimately safeguarding public health and consumer confidence.