Food safety in New Zealand

Food safety in New Zealand is a concern by the general public and the government takes measures to regulate it.

The estimated cost to the country in 2009 of the six foodborne illnesses campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, norovirus, yersiniosis, STEC and listeriosis was NZ$161 million.

to drive an export-led economic recovery for New Zealand, because the domestic food-regulatory regime is the platform for exports.

Dr Ayesha Verrall became the Minister of Food Safety in November 2020, succeeding Damien O'Connor.

Major food safety incidents are rare but New Zealand was implicated in the 2008 Chinese milk scandal.

The dairy industry in New Zealand is a major sector of the economy. A "clean green" image cultivated by various sources gives foreign markets the perception of a high degree of food safety for New Zealand produce.