12. SHANE ARDERN (National—Taranaki - King Country) Link to this
to the Minister for Food Safety
What progress has been made on reforming New Zealand’s food legislation?
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister for Food Safety) Link to this
I am pleased to advise the House that a Food Bill modernising our food legislation has been introduced to the House. This is a comprehensive reform, giving consumers better and more consistent protection, while giving food businesses more certainty and removing unnecessary requirements.
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
For a start, the Kerikeri jam makers will be able to make jam and the sausages will be back on the sizzle in Timaru without unnecessary bureaucratic rules.
Dr Ashraf Choudhary Link to this
Talofa lava. How can she guarantee that this bill will have no impact on the cake stalls and sausage sizzles that Kiwis rely on when section 93 of the bill says that people are liable to prosecution if they fail to comply with certain requirements under the bill?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
As the member knows, the bill is based on a risk-based approach depending on the risk of the food concerned. The bill will go to a select committee, and if that clause is a concern I am sure that the member will raise it at the select committee during the bill’s proper scrutiny.