Food, Beverage & Hospitality · Employer knowledge

Food safety & registration

Start by identifying the Food Act rules that apply to your activities. Then register with the correct authority, operate under the applicable food safety measure and prepare for verification.

Under the Food Act 2014, many food businesses must operate under the risk-based measure that applies to their activities. Depending on what the business does, this may be a food control plan (FCP) or a national programme. Do not choose a category simply from the business name: MPI's My Food Rules tool is the practical starting point for identifying the requirements that apply to the actual food activities.

MPI says businesses need to know whether they will use a food control plan or national programme before registration. Where and how registration occurs depends on the plan or programme, the business activities and whether operations are within one or more local council areas. Registered businesses are also subject to verification under the applicable regime.

What should a manager have in place?

Build the food safety system around the regime that actually applies to the business. A generic checklist is not a substitute for the registered FCP, national programme requirements or other applicable Food Act requirements.

1. Identify your food rulesUse MPI's My Food Rules tool to determine whether the activities fall under a template or custom FCP, a National Programme, or another applicable pathway.

2. Register correctlyConfirm the appropriate registration authority and registration requirements. This can depend on the risk-based measure and where the business operates.

3. Operate the systemMake the applicable food safety procedures part of day-to-day work. Staff should be able to access and follow the procedures relevant to their duties.

4. Verification & follow-upKnow who verifies the business, when verification is due and how findings or required actions will be addressed and closed.

Manager check

Have we used current MPI guidance or My Food Rules to confirm which Food Act requirements apply to our actual activities?
Is the business registered with the correct authority under the applicable FCP or National Programme pathway?
Are the current food safety procedures available to the people who need to follow them?
Can staff explain and carry out the controls relevant to the food they prepare, handle, store or sell?
Do we know our verification arrangements and keep track of findings and required follow-up?
When our activities change, do we check whether our food safety or registration requirements also need to change?

Start with MPI My Food Rules →MPI registration guidance →Back to Food, Beverage & Hospitality Hub

NZQC provides practical educational information. It is not legal advice and does not certify that a provider is compliant. Check the official source and the requirements that apply to your service, contracts and scope.