Food safety#
All food provided within the Healthy School Lunches programme is required to meet the legislative requirements of the Food Act 2014.
Download supplier assurance document and compliance checklists.
Links to useful food safety information are below.
Food safety basics: online training modules – Ministry for Primary Industries
The Food Act 2014 – Ministry for Primary Industries
Food Regulations 2015 – New Zealand Legislation
Simply safe and suitable food control plan – Ministry for Primary Industries
Custom food control plans – Ministry for Primary Industries
Guidance for investigations and recalls – Ministry for Primary Industries
Top tips for Food Safety – Healthy School Lunches Programme
Pullout guide to food safety in pregnancy [PDF, 11MB]
Safe and healthy eating in pregnancy – HealthEd
Food safety for the programme#
Food safety is important to us and all our suppliers.
We take food safety incidents seriously. All incidents are investigated, and we work closely with New Zealand Food Safety at the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
Ministry for Primary Industries
Once the outcome of an incident is known, findings are sent to the school principal.
What to do if there is a food safety incident#
In the unlikely event your school has a food safety incident, it's important to follow the guidance below. You should:
- retain the meal and packaging – don’t throw the meal away
- clearly label the meal “do not use” and refrigerate it to prevent deterioration or bacteria growth
- if a foreign object has been found in the meal, keep the object
- call your programme senior advisor within 2 hours of the incident taking place
- seek medical advice if the incident involves harm or illness
- notify your local public health unit National Public Health Service if the incident involves illness (for example vomiting or diarrhoea).
National Public Health Service
We will arrange for the meals and any foreign objects to be picked up.
If your senior advisor is away, email our team.
Email: [email protected]
