Establishing a food business can be quite daunting as there are a number of matters to consider in order to comply with the law. One of the council’s environmental health officers is your main point of contact when setting up a food business – you are strongly advised to contact them on 07 824 8633 before beginning any work
In addition, you are advised to consult with the following council departments and external agencies:
Building Control Services
For advice on building/drainage and plumbing permits, disabled access, toilets and fire safety.
Environmental Consents Planning
For advice on the council’s District Plan and whether your proposed business requires a Resource Consent.
Liquor Licensing
Is your operation to include the sale/consumption of liquor? If so, your environmental health officer is also appointed as a liquor licensing inspector and will be able to advise you on issues relating to the sale of alcohol.
Trade Waste
If you are likely to be adding large amounts of waste water into the council’s sewerage system you may require a Trade Waste Consent eg the wastewater from vat washing at a winery.
External agencies
Public Population Health Unit at the District Health Board
If you intend to package food for onward sale to other retail outlets (other than your own) you will need approval from the Public Health Unit. A health protection officer will be able to give advice on food labelling, permitted levels of additives in food and how you can develop Food Safety Programmes and can be contacted at the District Health Board on 07 8382569.
MAF/New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA)
MAF/ NZFSA has overall responsibility for food safety in New Zealand. Their website has information which both the public and business operators will find of use. Information on subjects such as food safety legislation, recalls and alerts, the latest hot topic related to food, food borne infectious disease information, registers and lists and much more.