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Basic Food Safety
and Hygiene Certificate

This course is approved by all New Zealand Councils and Verifiers, and certification auditors globally. Expert-led basic food safety and hygiene course by NZQA Registered PTE.

About our Food Safety Course

If your business or role involves handling food — this course is designed for you.

Our food safety course is:
✅  Accepted by Councils, MPI and Verifiers
✅ 
Follows best food safety practices in line with the Food Act 2014, Food Regulations 2015, and local council bylaws in New Zealand and internationally.
✅  Delivered by Food Safe, an NZQA-registered training company (PTE)
✅  Also referred to as Food Safety Certificate NZ, Food Handling Certificate NZ, Food Hygiene Certificate and Food Handlers Certificate.

Course details:

  • Course Duration: 5 hours
  • Delivery options:
    • LIVE Online via Zoom video conferencing
    • In person, at select locations (Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch) and on demand at client sites
  • Training by: Qualified ISO 22000 & 9001 Lead Food Safety Auditor
  • Approach: Visualized, show-me-how videos and fun style of learning

Learners gain:
✅ Recognised Certificate of Achievement, and
✅ Useful food safety skills and knowledge

Our Level 2 Food Safety Certificate Course is trusted by a wide range of sectors and learners who choose to train with us, including:

  • Hospitality and Retail
  • Home Food Businesses, Farmers, and Night Market Vendors
  • Mobile Food Trucks
  • Health Care Providers
  • Childcare Centres
  • Schools, Universities, and Other Education Providers
  • MSD Job Seekers
  • Food and Packaging Companies
  • Maraes and Kōhanga Reo
  • Community and Charity Groups
  • Events and Catering Businesses
  • Super yachts and Offshore Vessels
  • Pack houses and Farms

Basic Food Safety Certificate
Training Course Content

  • Knowledge of basic food safety and why this course is an investment
  • Answers to questions such as: Can I cook food from home for sale? What does a verifier look for when auditing me? What does jargon such as a “Level 2 National Programme FCP” mean?
  • Information on effective personal hygiene
  • Norovirus, Rotavirus, RSV, and COVID-19 controls to reduce food handling hazards
  • An understanding of the science of allergic reactions, immune response, food intolerance, and special diets such as Celiac.
  • Knowledge of the primary allergen groups (applicable worldwide) and implementing an allergen identification list for a Food Control Plan
  • Effective allergen management tools in a food business such as labelling and cleaning.
  • Learning key HACCP training NZ temperatures to global standards including both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), and recording temperature of high-risk food. This training has been used by our trainees around the world.
  • Knowledge of hazards that cause foodborne illness and food spoilage in a food business including pathogenic bacteria, mould, and viruses
  • Knowledge of methods used to control hazards that cause foodborne illness and food spoilage in a food business.
  • Identifying common examples of food safety risks
  • Pest control methods and how to control pests
  • Criteria for verifier inspections and audit checklists
  • Overview of legislation including the Food Standards Code 2002, Food Act 2014, Food Regulations and how the law applies to a workplace or food business
  • Knowledge of the key elements of a Food Control Plan – FCP + 3 Step Corrective Action – Codex Alimentarius
  • Practice filling out key food safety recordsFood Control Plan Diary
  • Gain insights into Council and Verifier Audits, and how to achieve an A Grade Council Audit
  • Extra research and microbiology information based on our MOC with AUT University – School of Applied Sciences.

Cover image of Food Safe's Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Training Food Safety Course Content

Suitable for:

Our Food Safety Certificate (also known as a Food Hygiene Certificate) is widely used by food businesses, workplaces, and individuals across many industries, including:

  • Hospitality & Retail
    Cafes, Bars, Restaurants, Takeaways, Bakeries, Pizza Shops, and Hotels
    Supermarkets, Dairies, and Convenience Stores
    Food Sampling Promotions and Snack Vendors
  • Home & Market Food Businesses
    Home-Based Food Businesses
    Farmers Markets (Baking, Jams, Sauces)
    Night Markets
    Mobile Food Trucks, Coffee Carts, Trailers, and Real Fruit Ice Cream Stalls
  • Early Childhood & Education
    ECE Cooks and Early Childcare Centre Services
    Food Allergy Care Providers
    Schools, After-School Care, and School Holiday Programs
    School Lunch Programs, Tuck Shops, and School Cafeterias
    Universities and Education Providers
  • Healthcare & Community Support
    Hospitals, Medical Centres, Hospices, and Post-Surgery Care Providers
    Residential Care, Drop-in Meals, Birthcare, and Midwives
    Aged Care Facilities, Rest Homes, Retirement Villages, and Meals on Wheels
  • Māori & Community Food Initiatives
    Marae, Kōhanga Reo, and Iwi Whānau Health Care
    Mātauranga Māori approaches to Kaimoana Harvesting and Homekill
  • Employment, Upskilling & Return-to-Work
    MSD Job Seekers (WINZ)
    Transition-to-Work and ACC Return-to-Work Programs
    Anyone looking to upskill, re-tool, or strengthen their CV for a food industry job
    People preparing for Food Safety Audits by MPI Verifiers or Council EHOs
  • Events, Catering & Food Rescue
    Events, Function Catering, Weddings, Camps, and Conferences
    Community Care, Churches, Youth Groups, Food Rescue, Pātaka Kai, Food Hubs (e.g., KiwiHarvest)
    Charity Groups
  • Primary Production, Processing & Export
    Horticulture Sector, Fruit Picking, Packhouses, and Farms
    Mushroom, Sprout, Microgreen, and Berry Growers
    Wild Food Collectors and Foragers
    Seafood Processing (Fish, Pāua, Kūtai, Kina, Pipi, Cockles)
    Meat, Poultry, and Dairy Export Companies
    Butchers, Smokehouses, Jerky and Sausage Processors
    Primary Processing (Slaughter) Businesses, including Halal and Kosher Operations
    Pet Food Companies
    Honey Processing Businesses
    Water Bottling, Beverage, Wine, Beer, and Drinks Producers
    Cold Storage, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Warehouses
    Food Importers, Distributors, and Exporters
    Operators with Food Control Plans (FCP), National Programmes, and Risk Management Programmes (RMPs)
    Businesses operating under FCP Templates, Custom FCPs, or National Programmes (NP1, NP2, NP3)
  • Maritime & Offshore Operations
    Ships, Rigs, Super Yachts, and Offshore Vessels — Galley Crew, Pursers, Stewards, and Technical Crew (Training delivered by an expert trainer with global experience to international standards)
    Provedores and Chandler Maritime Suppliers
  • Tourism & Accommodation
    Tour Guides, Farm Stays, Bed & Breakfast Operators, Tourism Companies, Ferries, and Airbnb Hosts
  • Home-Based Care & Special Diet Support
    Home Carers, Babysitters, and Au Pairs supporting people with special dietary needs
  • Newcomers to New Zealand & Global Travellers
    People new to New Zealand seeking seasonal work on farms, ski resorts, or in food businesses
    Those gaining recognised food safety training for an Overseas Experience (OE)

If your work or future plans involve handling food — this course gives you the knowledge and confidence to meet food safety requirements and protect people’s health.

Home food business owners applying food safety training knowledge

A man certified in Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Training on an organic farm handling produce and microgreens.
Food truck employee trained in basic food safety and hygiene by Food Safe.

Maritime Food Safety Training

This Basic Food Safety & Hygiene Training is also suitable as Maritime Food Safety & Hygiene Training for stewards, stewardesses, cooks and galley chefs on SUPER yachts, ships, rigs, ferries, and offshore vessels.

Ideal for handling food & beverages onboard, including:
Nurses & Nannies on superyachts, Youth staff & Tour guides, Pursers, F&B Managers, Hospitality Officers, Captains: Upskill crew – Dry dock / World cruises, Inventory & Store Managers, Chandlery & Marine Suppliers, Superyacht Food Buyers & Executive Chefs, & Supply Chain Managers.

Meets Maritime Food Safety Certificate requirements:

✅ Expert Instructor (Worked at sea for 6+ years + ISO 22000 Auditor)
✅ Level 2 certificate (plus advanced concepts!)
✅ NZQA-verified & international standards (USPH; Global Allergens; °C/°F)
✅ Currently used by many ships, rigs, and maritime companies

⚓ Perfect for ensuring a smooth Maritime food handling certification process, including IMO STCW Food Handler Certification for vessels.
📑 Meets ILO and Maritime Labour Convention 2006 – MLC Amendments 2022 – Regulation 3.2 – Food and Catering Requirements

About Food Safe

Food Safe Ltd is a Category 1 NZQA-Registered PTE. Our food safety courses comply with Council Food Safety Bylaws, Verifier Audits, Food Control Plans, and Risk Management Programmes right across New Zealand.

Our food safety training is trusted by both well-known New Zealand and Global food companies and heaps of small teams too!

Why Choose us for your Food Safety Certificate Training?

  • We have collaborated and delivered food safety and hygiene certification training for a number of performance-fuelled organizations and global brands.
  • The topics we cover and the information we provide on food safety is the very latest.
  • Students gain knowledge and learn in an engaging and interactive environment
  • Our course presentation style suits all learner types. We use slides, pictures, and a show-me-how approach to our food safety training.
  • Food Safe Trainers are industry experts with Lead Audit ISO 22000 qualifications and have extensive practical experience in high-compliance food manufacture, which we bring to the classroom.

Don’t miss out! Read our 5-star Facebook & Google trainee reviews.

Food Safe students received their Food Safety Training Certificates Onsite and Online.

Food Safety Training Delivery

We deliver Expert-Led Online Food Safety Courses and On-Site Food Safety Certificate NZ Courses and Training across New Zealand.

ONLINE FOOD SAFETY COURSES:
Delivered LIVE Online via video conferencing

ON-SITE FOOD SAFETY COURSES:
For your convenience, we hold our Food Safety Certificate NZ course and our other food safety training courses at a number of locations across New Zealand. This includes food safety courses in Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton.

We have successfully delivered customised food safety training courses at companies from South Island to the Northland and across from Waiheke in the east to Hokitika in the West!

We go well beyond just basic food safety training to nurture your business plans post-training. One of our invaluable services includes an EXCLUSIVE and passionate post-training Facebook community support group. Our former trainees and successful business owners help support and guide each other on their food business journeys.

Food Safety Training Locations

In addition to training options New Zealand wide our Food Safety Certificate Auckland Course is also delivered at a number of locations Auckland wide:

  • In the North Shore, Albany, Auckland: Food Safety Certificate North Shore for the convenience of Aucklanders living on the North Shore Area from Birkenhead to Orewa
  • In Grey Lynn, Auckland: For the convenience of people in the CBD, Viaduct Ponsonby, New Market, Parnell, Onehunga, New Lynn, Henderson
  • In Manukau, Auckland: Food Safety Course Manukau: For the convenience of people who also live in Papakura, Pukekohe, Papatoetoe, Takanini, Manurewa, Mangere, East Tamaki, Howick & Flat Bush

A great perk we include in our Auckland and all NZ courses is free off-street parking, an invisible and additional cost you need to consider when choosing your food safety course provider.

Our basic food safety course includes FCP resources in Te Reo Māori, Mandarin 普通话, Hindi हिंदी, Korean 한국의, Thai ภาษาไทย, Khmer/Cambodian, and Vietnamese Việt.

Training Location: Online
LIVE Online
ZOOM Video Conferencing
New Zealand

All New Zealand

Training Location: Auckland
Surrey Hotel
465, Great North Road
Auckland, New Zealand

Get Directions

Training Location: Christchurch
Russley Golf Club & Function Centre
428 Memorial Avenue
Christchurch, New Zealand

Get Directions

Training Location: Hamilton
Ventura Inn & Suites
23 Clarence Street
Hamilton, New Zealand

Get Directions
A trainee holding her Food Safety Certification after completing Food Safe's basic food safety and hygiene certificate training course.

Food Safety Certificate: How long does my Food Safety Certification last?

  • Best practice for Cafes and Restaurants: Refresh your food safety course knowledge and renew your certificate every 3 years at the latest.
  • Food Manufacture, Customised food Control Plans & Risk Management Programmes: Refresh your course knowledge and renew your certificate every year.

99

PASS RATE

1000

5-STAR TRAINEE REVIEWS

100

FUN HAD

Read our Facebook & Google 5
trainee reviews

I really enjoyed this training, at a great pace and wasn't boring
It was informative and interesting. Keith is a good tutor
Great course instructor, easy to follow content, enjoyable
Thank you
Was a brilliant class. A lot of useful information, and also the tutor was great at engaging with everyone.
Keith Michael was super nice and welcoming! He makes the Food safe course feel engaging and very easy to understand!
Great training. Really clear and interactive. Thanks heaps Keith
Keith was exceptional in all aspects of his teachings. Very sound knowledge in Food Safety & Hygiene, Excellent Refresher. Thanks Team.
Very friendly, knowledgeable and fun.
Thank you for a great experience today.
I felt like i was in good hands the whole time and he personalised the training for all of us.
I would recommend training with Keith anytime.
Just finished my Basic Food Safety and Hygiene certificate with Keith and he was amazing! Super knowledgeable and passionate, which made the whole course really engaging. I mentioned I was doing it for superyachts and he made sure to tie everything back to that, while still keeping it relevant for everyone. Couldn’t recommend the course more!
Keith is an awesome tutor! Very welcoming and made the online class a great experience to be apart of. Easy to understand and covered all details which gave us the confidence to use what we learnt today to put into practice straight away!
Thank you so much for your time 10/10

Nga mihi-Jas
It was fun and very helpful
I thought that the training course was very good and Kieth was very helpful and very knowledgeable about how the training course works and engaged with all the students
Keith is an awesome, inclusive, knowledgeable facilitator.

Keith took the time to speak with us individually for a few minutes prior to the course starting.

Keith included each of us in scenarios and was able to point out any relevant content that would align with each business.

I felt at ease throughout.

I’m a facilitator myself and can definitely recommend Keith, you will get the right information that is delivered in a way you will understand.

I appreciate you Keith, keep up the good work.

I’m very happy to have chosen food safe as my course provider.

Tracey R
Tracey’s Kitchen
Awesome teacher!! He was very lovely to each and everyone of us in the class. Love how he took the time to make it a fun class 🙂
The online Food Safe Certification course was extremely well run - the presenter (Keith) was engaging and kept the topic interesting. Very pleased I attended the course 🙂
Awesome online course; infirmative and engaging
The teacher/class was not only encouraging, but also was also a delight to learn from. Keith made a food safety course engaging as well as highlighting the importance of it
Great course. Keith made it fun and informative
I really learned a lot today thank you
Showed me a whole new side to the food industry ,informative course ,educational and Showed how important hygiene and records are,well worth the time.Thank you
Trainer was lovely. Made the process fun and enjoyable!
Incredible team, made me understand food safety and hygiene 🙂
This team is amazing! I love the passion and knowledge they share for the industry. Highly recommend working with Food Safe, 5 stars!
Second time doing this course, this time as a refresher. It was once again enjoyable, informative and well presented.

Thanks Keith for making the hours fly by effortlessly whilst ensuring we gain and retain the knowledge to safely go about with our food businesses.
This course was amazing. Covered all areas and super helpful. Even better you can do it from the comfort of your own home
I had a really great time. I learnt lots of new things and I was very grateful to Keith for including me even though I wasn’t a Business owner like most of the others. I’m very grateful I got the opportunity to do the course.
an awesome and fun course! our trainer Keith took the time to teach and guide us through our general AND personal, background-specific content, answering all of our questions and making us smile while doing so! a convenient and informative call that has helped me massively thank you very much 🙂
Loved the course a great tutor and all the information I needed
Great pacing and level of detail at every step. Catered to each persons individual needs and answered specific questions. Highly recommend this course
This course was really helpful. All the relevant information made it easy to follow, and Keith did an excellent job😊
Efficient & effective, Keith was both well informed & entertaining.
Worth while & informative to achieve both the intended qualification, & gain real life understanding.
The instructor, Keith is truly caring, patient, and detail-oriented. He answered all our questions thoroughly and made sure everyone understood the material. I gained essential knowledge about food safety — the training was definitely worthwhile.
It was great the tutor was amazing he took you through step by step I felt very relax and confident understanding everything highly recommended
Attending the training was a great experience for me. Keith Michael explained every detail clearly and was very accommodating to questions. Thank you and more power.
Highly recommend, it is a reminder of what the expectations & standards are with food safety.
The regulations, acts and record keeping within NZ.

For me this is from a Marae view. Food safety Standards from delivery ie, Maara to kitchen.

Delivery to Storage.
Store to cupboard, fridge & freezers.
Keith was a fantastic trainer: Friendly, funny, and just a very effective trainer. Well worth it
Keith was amazing for my training he engaged with all of us let us ask any questions at anytime,overall this was a great experience, learnt a lot so thanku very much Keith 😊👍
Keith Michael from Food Safe has been amazing
I have been in the industry for 12 years and have a good understanding of the food practises. This was a re certification and not sure what to expect. His presentation was both informative , engaging and captivating. I will recommend him to anyone starting out in hospo or decertifying!
Took some online training with Keith. Really informative and great teacher.
Good experience, enjoyed the meeting and learned new things about food safety but most importantly it's a really good work course to do. 😊
Very easy accessible class on zoom, Keith(tutor) was great spoke clearly and covered all bases of the assessment which took 10 mins answering at the end. If your looking to do a food safety certificate I highly recommend Food Safe Ltd.
Very helpful and kind teacher
Namaste
Keith was a awesome tutor, i really enjoyed the class and i learnt so much about food safety practices and procedures , Thoroughly loved the Course - The Tutor actually mad it enjoyable thank you again regards Himi
Keith is amazing.explains everything so clearly.
Keith Michael from Food Safe was an outstanding trainer for the Food Safety course. He made the entire learning experience clear, engaging, and easy to understand. His teaching style was approachable and effective, breaking down complex information in a way that was relatable and easy to absorb. Keith’s ability to connect with the class and ensure everyone was confident in the material really stood out. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to complete their Food Safety training with a knowledgeable and supportive instructor.

HOW IT WORKS: Steps to Book Your Course

1

Booking Your Basic Food Safety Course

Click the 'Book Course' button. Choose your preferred date and training type (Online or Onsite) and place your booking.

Payment options: Bank Transfer and Credit Card.

2

Process your payment

You will receive a 'Booking Received' email after you have placed your booking which will include the payment details for your training.

Please process the invoice so we can confirm and reserve your place in the class and connect with you online if you have selected online training.

If you have already paid your course fees by credit card as part of our booking check-out, your booking is automatically confirmed and you will receive a 'Booking Confirmed' email. See point 4 below for next steps.

3

Booking Confirmed

Upon receipt of your payment, your booking will be confirmed.
4

Pre-Training

If you have booked Online Training, we will email you the link to join your training the day before.
If you have booked Onsite Training (face-to-face), there is nothing further to do. Simply come to class on the day of your training. We will send you an email reminder with information the day before your food safety training.
When you receive a course confirmation from us this means we exclusively reserve a place for you in our class which has limited space. If a trainee cannot attend on their booked day, we will do our best to slot you into another class but we cannot guarantee a space as our classes do get booked out in advance. Requesting a new training date or postponement is not deemed to be a new booking. It is simply a postponement and done in good faith. Any cancellations/refund requests relating to this will be based on the original booking date, and apply as per our terms and conditions.
5

Training Day

If you have booked Online Training, please be online 15 minutes before your class start time to say hello to the trainer.

If you have booked Onsite Training (face-to-face), please arrive 15 minutes before your class starts. Double-check your training venue address which is different to the Food Safe Corporate Office address.

FAQs

Do I have to do a Food Safety Assessment?

Yes. At the completion of your training, your trainer will give you an assessment, covering food safety topics, to complete. This assessment requires no typing or writing for you to do. Only yes/no, tick box type of answers. You have to achieve 70% to pass your assessment and to receive your food safety course certification.

Why choose Food Safe’s Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Training instead of NZQA Unit Standard 20666 for compliance in NZ & Australia?

Basic Food Safety & Hygiene Training (Food Safe) vs NZQA Unit Standard 20666: Coverage & Compliance (NZ & Australia)

A visual comparison of Food Safe’s Basic Food Safety & Hygiene Training with NZQA unit standard 20666.

The table below highlights MPI and FSANZ compliance topics, New Zealand Food Control Plans, Australia 3.2.1 Food Safety ProgramsRisk Management Programme (RMP) content, and practical skills (e.g., thermometer calibration, allergen management, audit readiness) for food businesses across New Zealand and Australia.

Topic coverage comparison to help managers choose the right Food Safety Training – MPI, FSANZ, NZQA 20666
Key Topics & Outcomes Food Safe Limited – Basic Food Safety & Hygiene Training Certificate NZQA Unit Standard 20666
Microbiology: bacteria, moulds, yeasts (time, temperature, food type, moisture, pH, oxygen)
Cross-contamination prevention: personal hygiene, handling, cleaning & sanitising, waste, storage
Controlling micro-organisms: cleaning, heating, refrigeration
Audit success: how to score 100% with Environmental Health / MPI verifier audits
A-grade outcomes (council grading)
Food Control Plans (FCP) & National Programmes (NP1, NP2, NP3) & Risk Management Programmes (RMP)
Food Safety Programs 3.2.1 Australia
Food safety law & legal duties (Food Act 2014, Food Regulations 2015)
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ)
Animal Products Act 1999 & RMP requirements (where applicable)
How to register your food business (MPI / council)
Water quality requirements & testing
Food poisoning: illness management, eg Listeriosis & viruses
Critical Control Points (CCP) with specific food examples (e.g., chicken)
Validation & cooling-down requirements
Personal hygiene best practice
Proper handwashing technique & Staphylococcus aureus control
Viruses overview: Rotavirus, RSV, COVID-19, Hepatitis A (and more)
Norovirus control (Ministry of Health guidance) New Zealand & Australia
Food safety hazards (unsafe food) with examples & risk reduction
Date labels & stock rotation (FIFO)
Thermometer types & calibration (boiling/ice method)
Critical temperatures in both Centigrade °C and (Fahrenheit °F when applicable)
Allergen management: FSANZ & global allergen groups
Food allergies vs intolerances (NZ, Australia & global)
Special diets: medical, cultural (e.g., Halal, Kosher) if required
ECE Child Care & Te Kōhanga Reo: minimise choking hazards
First aid kit requirements
Pest control
Environmental management
Food recalls (NZ & global) & mock recall procedures
Corrective actions & complaint management
Training suitable for: cafés, restaurants, ECE, schools, food trucks, charities/NGOs, supermarkets, home-based, job-seekers, aged care, hospitals, bottling/packaging/food manufacturing, honey, and any business handling food

Ready to get certified? Book Food Safe’s Category 1 NZQA-registered training (online via Zoom or at your site). Ideal for NZ & Australia food businesses aiming to pass audits first time.

Is the Food Safety Assessment hard?

As long as participants are attentive in class and are taking notes along the way, the assessment is not hard. Participants may refer to their notes during the open-book assessment.

When will I receive my Food Safety Certificate?

People who pass the course will receive a Food Safety Certificate of Achievement, on the day of the training, on successful completion of the assessment.

What happens if I do not pass my Assessment?

Your trainer will ask students who don’t pass [Not Yet Achieved] to take the assessment again. You can take the assessment as many times as you like. You will not be charged anything additional for taking the assessment again.

Do I have to prepare before coming to class?

No prior knowledge or homework is required. Your trainer will coach you about food safety methods and food safety risk controls including record-keeping and other relevant food safety topics and information in class.

What kind of job can I get after I achieve my Food Safety Certificate?

Our trainees have applied for roles in Cafes, Supermarkets, Childcare centres, Hospitals, Food Companies, Community Centres, Maraes, School Cafeterias, and Aged Care facilities. A number of our trainees have also set up their own successful home food businesses.

Food Safety Guidance for Food Act 2014

All new food businesses need to register under the Food Act before they start selling food. Check how the law applies to your business. Use the Where do I fit? tool on the MPI website. The tool will tell you whether you need to use a food control plan or national programme.

You’ll need to register with your local council or MPI. This depends on where you operate, and what type of plan or programme you are registering.

What can food businesses learn from New Zealand’s food safety incidents and recalls in 2025?

Food Safety Analysis

New Zealand Food Safety Incidents & Recalls | January – August 2025

📋 Introduction

New Zealand’s food safety surveillance system, managed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), continues to demonstrate proactive consumer protection through systematic monitoring and rapid response protocols. The 2025 data period reflects the ongoing evolution of food safety challenges in an increasingly complex global supply chain environment. Building on the foundation of 70 consumer-level food recalls managed in 2023, the current year shows consistent patterns in incident categories while revealing emerging trends in contamination sources. The MPI’s collaborative approach with food businesses ensures that potential risks are identified and addressed before widespread consumer exposure occurs. This analysis examines the distribution and characteristics of food safety incidents from January through August 2025, providing insights into the effectiveness of New Zealand’s food safety framework.

45
Total Incidents
8
Months Analyzed
5.6
Average per Month
98%
Response Rate
📈 Monthly Food Safety Incidents Distribution
Month Number of Incidents Primary Category Response Time
January 5 Undeclared Allergens < 24 hours
February 4 Microbial Contamination < 24 hours
March 8 Foreign Objects < 12 hours
April 6 Undeclared Allergens < 24 hours
May 5 Labeling Errors < 24 hours
June 4 Chemical Contamination < 12 hours
July 7 Microbial Contamination < 24 hours
August 6 Undeclared Allergens < 24 hours
🚨 Undeclared Allergens (40%)

Undeclared allergen incidents continue to dominate New Zealand’s food recall landscape, representing the highest risk category for consumers with specific dietary restrictions and allergies. These cases typically involve manufacturing errors where products contain milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, or soy without appropriate labeling disclosure. The complexity of modern food production facilities, where multiple products are processed using shared equipment, creates ongoing challenges for complete allergen segregation. Cross-contamination during ingredient sourcing, processing, or packaging stages can result in trace amounts of allergens that pose serious health risks to sensitive individuals. The MPI’s zero-tolerance approach to allergen mislabeling ensures that even potential exposure risks trigger immediate recall procedures to protect vulnerable consumers.

🦠 Microbial Contamination (24%)

Microbial contamination incidents primarily involve pathogenic organisms such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that can cause serious foodborne illnesses. Fresh produce items, particularly leafy greens, sprouts, and ready-to-eat salads, are frequently implicated due to potential contamination during growing, harvesting, or processing phases. These recalls often result from routine surveillance testing programs that detect pathogens before widespread distribution occurs, demonstrating the effectiveness of preventive monitoring systems. The severity of potential health outcomes, especially for immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and elderly consumers, necessitates immediate and comprehensive recall actions. Temperature control failures during transportation and storage can exacerbate microbial growth, making cold chain management a critical factor in prevention strategies.

🔍 Foreign Object Detection (18%)

Foreign object contamination represents a significant physical hazard category, encompassing incidents where metal fragments, plastic pieces, glass shards, or other non-food materials are discovered in consumer products. Manufacturing equipment malfunction, inadequate maintenance protocols, or supplier material defects typically contribute to these contamination events. Detection methods include consumer complaints, internal quality assurance testing, and X-ray screening systems that identify foreign materials during production processes. The immediate physical danger posed by sharp objects or choking hazards requires rapid response and complete product retrieval from retail channels. Preventive measures focus on enhanced equipment inspection schedules, improved supplier verification programs, and upgraded detection technology throughout the production chain.

⚗️ Chemical Contamination (10%)

Chemical contamination incidents involve unauthorized chemical substances, cleaning agent residues, or pesticide levels exceeding regulatory limits found in food products. These cases often stem from inadequate cleaning protocols between production runs, supplier non-compliance with chemical usage guidelines, or contamination during transportation and storage phases. The detection of chemical contaminants typically occurs through routine laboratory testing programs that screen for residual chemicals, heavy metals, and other unauthorized substances. Health risks vary depending on the specific chemical involved, concentration levels, and duration of potential consumer exposure. Preventive strategies emphasize robust supplier verification, enhanced cleaning validation procedures, and comprehensive chemical residue testing programs throughout the supply chain.

🏷️ Labeling & Documentation (8%)

Labeling and documentation errors encompass incorrect use-by dates, missing storage instructions, inaccurate nutritional information, and regulatory compliance failures that compromise consumer safety and informed decision-making. These incidents reflect the complexity of modern food labeling requirements and the potential for human error in documentation processes. Incorrect date marking poses particular risks as consumers rely on this information to assess product safety and quality over time. Missing or inaccurate allergen declarations fall into the more serious undeclared allergen category, while general labeling errors typically involve less critical but still important consumer information. The trend toward automated labeling systems has reduced some traditional errors while introducing new challenges related to software programming and data management accuracy.

🔬 Expert Analysis

The 2025 food safety incident data demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to maintaining world-class food safety standards through proactive monitoring and swift response mechanisms. The predominance of allergen-related recalls reflects both heightened regulatory scrutiny and increased consumer awareness of allergenic risks in the food supply. The effective management of microbial contamination incidents showcases the value of preventive testing programs that identify potential hazards before consumer exposure occurs. The relatively balanced distribution across other categories indicates a comprehensive approach to food safety that addresses multiple risk vectors simultaneously. The consistent monthly incident rates suggest stable surveillance capabilities and industry compliance levels, with seasonal variations reflecting typical food production and consumption patterns throughout the year.

📊 Data Sources & Methodology

Primary Sources:

Analysis Period: January 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025

Methodology: Comprehensive review of official recall notices, incident reports, and regulatory communications

What can food businesses learn from New Zealand’s food safety incidents and recalls in 2025?

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Công cụ giúp doanh nghiệp của bạn tuân thủ

Vào các ngày 8 và 9 tháng 12 năm 2022, Diễn đàn An toàn Thực phẩm Úc New Zealand (ANZ Food Forum) đã đồng ý thay thế Điều 3.2.2 của Bộ Quy chuẩn về An toàn Thực phẩm Úc New Zealand với Quy chuẩn Tiêu chuẩn An toàn Thực phẩm 3.2.2A mới, đặt ra những yêu cầu mới đối với việc đào tạo và kiểm soát an toàn thực phẩm đối với các doanh nghiệp chế biến thực phẩm.

Doanh nghiệp chế biến thực phẩm phải tuân thủ theo Tiêu chuẩn 3.2.2A, bên cạnh các yêu cầu hiện có của Tiêu chuẩn 3.2.2.

Tiêu chuẩn mới đang áp dụng với nhiều doanh nghiệp cung cấp hoặc chế biến thực phẩm; xem mục “Chế biến thực phẩm liên quan” ở mặt sau để biết chi tiết.

YÊU CẦU CHÍNH

Đối với hầu hết các doanh nghiệp đã có sẵn hệ thống quản lý an toàn thực phẩm, các yêu cầu của Tiêu chuẩn 3.2.2A có thể đã được doanh nghiệp đáp ứng, thường là thông qua chương trình đào tạo và kế hoạch an toàn thực phẩm. Các tiêu chuẩn mới giúp củng cố các yêu cầu hiện có.

Một số doanh nghiệp có thể cần cải tiến chương trình đào tạo an toàn thực phẩm và xây dựng kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm, trong khi các doanh nghiệp khác có thể cần phải xây dựng chương trình quản lý an toàn thực phẩm.

Dưới đây là một số công cụ có thể giúp đảm bảo doanh nghiệp của bạn đáp ứng các yêu cầu:

Đào tạo về an toàn thực phẩm

Nhân viên được đào tạo phù hợp là nhân tố chính giúp doanh nghiệp xử lý thực phẩm một cách an toàn. Kiểm soát viên (TUQ) có thể yêu cầu xem bằng chứng về năng lực/đào tạo an toàn thực phẩm đối với các nhân viên của cơ sở, đặc biệt là người đóng vai trò then chốt. Các doanh nghiệp cần đảm bảo các nhân viên đang thực hiện các công việc liên quan đến xử lý thực phẩm khác nhau phải được trang bị kiến ​​thức và năng lực phù hợp.

Chương trình Đào tạo về năng lực an toàn thực phẩm (FoodSafe Online) là một khóa học đào tạo trực tuyến miễn phí dành cho các doanh nghiệp chế biến thực phẩm ở Tây Úc:

  • Có sẵn bằng tiếng Anh, tiếng Hoa giản thể, Ả Rập, tiếng Hàn, tiếng Việt, tiếng Philippines và tiếng Bahasa Indonesia
  • Đào tạo phù hợp với Kiểm soát viên (TUQ), Người chuẩn bị thực phẩm và Nhân viên vận hành
  • Mỗi khóa học kết thúc bằng một bài kiểm tra
  • Giấy chứng nhận hoàn thành khóa học
  • Thông tin có thể được người sử dụng lao động xác minh

Khóa học có sẵn tại foodsafetycompanion.health.wa.gov.au, nhấp vào FoodSafe Online.

Quản lý An toàn thực phẩm

Tiêu chuẩn mới yêu cầu một số doanh nghiệp thực phẩm phải xây dựng kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm (FMSP) theo mô hình kế hoạch quản lý Quy trình an toàn thực phẩm “thực hành tốt nhất” hoặc một hệ thống phù hợp với các nguyên tắc phân tích mối nguy và điểm tới hạn HACCP.

Bằng việc thực hiện kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm, các doanh nghiệp có thể xác định mối nguy, phương thức kiểm soát và duy trì một hệ thống giám sát và kiểm tra để đảm bảo kiểm soát các mối nguy được hiệu quả.

Đối với nhiều doanh nghiệp, áp dụng các kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm trước kiến thức/chương trình an toàn thực phẩm hiện có cho các quy trình hiện hành của doanh nghiệp là rất phù hợp.

Các nguồn tài liệu sẵn có hỗ trợ các doanh nghiệp xây dựng chương trình đào tạo an toàn thực phẩm có hiệu quả và kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm, bao gồm:

  • Tài liệu hướng dẫn “Giải thích những thay đổi mới đối với Bộ Quy chuẩn về An toàn Thực phẩm Úc New Zealand”
  • Tài liệu hướng dẫn xây dựng kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm dựa trên chương trình quản lý Quy trình an toàn thực phẩm và các nguyên tắc HACCP.

Thông tin thêm

Liên hệ với TUQ địa phương để biết thêm thông tin hoặc hỗ trợ xây dựng kế hoạch quản lý an toàn thực phẩm. Bộ Y Tế Tây Úc có các tài liệu hướng dẫn nhằm hỗ trợ doanh nghiệp chế biến thực phẩm về Tiêu Chuẩn An Toàn Thực Phẩm 3.2.2A.

Quét mã QR để biết thêm thông tin

CHẾ BIẾN THỰC PHẨM CÓ LIÊN QUAN

Tiêu chuẩn mới áp dụng đối với các doanh nghiệp có chế biến thực phẩm như sau:

  • Chuẩn bị/mua thực phẩm sẵn sàng dùng để bán lại thông qua hâm nóng lại hoặc phục vụ (ví dụ: quán cà phê/xăng, quán cà phê và căng tin).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm có nguy cơ cao trong các cơ sở bán lẻ (ví dụ: quán cà phê/xăng, quán cà phê, căng tin).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm trong các cơ sở ăn uống, nơi thực phẩm sẵn sàng dùng được phục vụ sau khi chế biến (ví dụ: nhà hàng, quán cà phê).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm không đóng gói để bán lại cho người khác (ví dụ: nhà bếp sản xuất, doanh nghiệp bán buôn).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm và sau đó đóng gói để bán lẻ (ví dụ: hiệu bánh, nhà sản xuất thực phẩm).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm để phân phối tại các địa điểm khác nơi thực phẩm đó được phục vụ (ví dụ: nhà bếp chính/nhà bếp vệ sinh – cook chill, cook fresh – cho trung tâm chăm sóc trẻ em, bản địa, hỗ trợ người khuyết tật và các cơ sở chăm sóc người cao tuổi).
  • Chế biến thực phẩm tại chỗ của các nhà cung cấp dịch vụ ăn uống (ví dụ: nhà cung cấp dịch vụ ăn uống tại trường học).

Tiêu chuẩn này thường không áp dụng cho những doanh nghiệp không chế biến thực phẩm, mặc dù có thể áp dụng cho một số doanh nghiệp.

Vui lòng trao đổi với TUQ địa phương về các yêu cầu áp dụng cho doanh nghiệp của bạn.

Truy cập trang web của Bộ Y tế Tây Úc để biết thông tin, tài liệu hỗ trợ và công cụ giúp các doanh nghiệp chế biến

thực phẩm về Tiêu Chuẩn An Toàn Thực Phẩm 3.2.2A hoặc truy cập

www.health.wa.gov.au/FSMT

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