Proposals for new food safety laws which will be in a bill to be introduced next year have been sent out for consultation, Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson says.
Ms Wilkinson said the food sector would have five years to shift from the old food hygiene regulations to the new regime in a staged approach.
"This will give businesses adequate time to adjust to the new system and allow the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and territorial authorities to replace the old food hygiene regulations in a structured way," she said.
The new Food Bill will affect everyone who deals with food for sale and its provisions will relate to how risky the food is to consumers.
"This bill heralds a major shift in the way operators in the food sector conduct their business and it is important that we get input and buy-in from the people at the frontline," Ms Wilkinson said.
Consultation closes on February 12 and the document is on http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz.
