Consumer NZ: no nutritional benefits for milk in light-proof bottles
Date: 11 Aug 2017Despite claims light-proofed containers protect the vitamins in milk, Consumer NZ testing reveals there’s little difference in nutrient content between major milk brands. Fonterra-owned Anchor launched light-proof bottles four years ago, in response to research showing “light can cause damage to vitamin B2 and A”, the company said on its website. Anchor stated: “This isn’t good. Why? Well, because vitamin A is important in aiding healthy eyesight and ... more
Food and Grocery Council: Sanitarium must be allowed to protect its brand
Date: 10 Aug 2017Sanitarium, like any other trademark holder, has little choice but to protect its brand, says NZ Food and Grocery Council Chief Executive Katherine Rich. "They’re in a difficult position because the product Weetabix, imported by online retailer A Little Bit of Britain, is clearly similar to Weet-Bix – there’s a one-letter difference. "Sanitarium has held the rights to the Weet-Bix brand since 1928. It’s one of New Zealand’s strongest and ... more
FSANZ: Call for submissions on genetically modified rice application
Date: 4 Aug 2017Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an application to permit a genetically modified rice line that produces a form of provitamin A. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the International Rice Research Institute (a non-government humanitarian organisation) applied to include the rice—sometimes referred to as Golden Rice—in the Code. “The institute is seeking to grow the rice in developing countries to address severe ... more
Experts call for action to fill gaps on healthy food policies
Date: 26 Jul 2017New Zealand needs major improvements in food policies if it is going to seriously tackle the country’s obesity epidemic, according to findings in the University of Auckland’s second Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) published today. The Food-EPI was first published in 2014. The 2017 version was conducted in April to May 2017 by a New Zealand Expert Panel of 71 independent and government public health experts who rated the extent of implementation of policies on ... more
Call for submissions on processing aid
Date: 24 Jul 2017Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an application to allow the use of a new genetically modified enzyme as a processing aid. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the enzyme, Aqualysin 1 (Protease), would be used in the manufacture of bakery products. "After reviewing the available data, FSANZ has determined there are no public health or safety issues associated with using this enzyme. All FSANZ ... more
Kiwifruit Export Regulations amended to underpin industry’s future
Date: 11 Jul 2017Zespri welcomes the announcement by the New Zealand Government today that it has approved the amendment of the Kiwifruit Export Regulations. Zespri Chairman Peter McBride says the updated regulations will enable Zespri to recommend changes to its constitution to align shareholding of the company more closely with production. “Our industry asked the government to update the regulations to allow us to develop a sustainable and long-term plan to maximise the wealth of New ... more
Deepwater Group welcomes New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan
Date: 5 Jul 2017The Deepwater Group, which represents New Zealand’s deepwater fishing sector, welcomes the New Zealand Sea Lion Threat Management Plan released today by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). This new Plan is based on a comprehensive risk assessment of the threats to New Zealand sea lions, which concludes that no single factor is solely responsible for their decline. The Plan adopts a broad approach to mitigate the key threats and to ... more
Dole invests in Motutapu island which is now re-opening following storm damage
Date: 4 Jul 2017New Zealand’s ‘secret’ island dedicated to conservation overcomes weather damage with support from new investor Dole Motutapu Island has suffered significant damage to its conservation projects following recent storms. Planting programme is in the process of re-opening thanks to support of Motutapu Restoration Trust (MRT) volunteers, the Department of Conservation(DOC) and new sponsor Dole. Tucked away behind Auckland landmark Rangitoto, 1509 hectare Motutapu is ... more
Food Act registrations deadline looms
Date: 16 Jun 2017Companies that make non-shelf stable items and food importers, and which haven’t registered under the new Food Act, have just two weeks to do so before possibly facing fines for non-compliance, says the NZ Food and Grocery Council. This includes companies that make or process: · nuts and seeds, including businesses that roast coffee beans, roast, salt or coat nuts or seeds, or make products like nut bars or trail mix. · food for vulnerable ... more
Implementation Workshop: Manufacture of Dairy Based Infant Formula Products and Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children
Date: 9 Jun 2017MPI would like to invite manufacturers of infant formula, follow-on formula, formulated supplementary food for young children, and manufacturers of dairy based ingredients suppliers for these products to attend an implementation workshop. The workshop will include an overview of the Animal Products Notice: Manufacture of Dairy Based Infant Formula Products and Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children. The workshop will be a forum for manufacturers to ask questions about the ... more
