Early Food Control Plans give competitive edge to Hamilton businesses

Hamilton City Council is encouraging local food businesses to voluntarily implement Food Control Plans now to gain a 'competitive edge' before an upcoming law change.

Already four local businesses have registered Plans – Domaine Restaurant on Victoria Street, Longview Taurima Hostel on Cameron Rd, Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club on Claudelands Rd and Shamiana Cuisines of India at Westfield Chartwell – and several others are close to registration.

Food Control Plans will soon become a legal requirement with the upcoming Food Bill, which is designed to give operators of participating food safety and catering businesses a set of procedures and records to help them simply and effectively manage food safety.

Food operators who register their Food Control Plan with Council are exempt from the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 as their Food Control Plan sets the rules for their business. Council environmental health officers are responsible for ensuring the operator's Food Control Plan is appropriate for their business and that it is being properly followed.

Hamilton City Council Environmental Health Manager Peter McGregor said by voluntarily implementing Food Control Plans now, local food businesses will be one step ahead of their competitors and will signal to customers they are serious about food safety.

"The public will be able to easily identify businesses with approved Food Control Plans by the green 'Serious about Food Safety' sticker that are displayed in their windows," he said.

"By having a registered Food Control Plan it shows they are serious about good practice in food preparation, storage, display and cleaning, and about meeting their customers' expectations for food safety.

"It will also mean they are already prepared for the upcoming law change and will have a competitive edge when the Food Bill is introduced."

Mr McGregor encourages any food businesses interested in finding out more about the Food Control Plans to contact Hamilton City Council's Environmental Health team, and attend one of the free workshops being held at the Council Municipal Building next month. More information about the workshops, including times, dates and registration details, can be found at www.hamilton.co.nz/foodsafety

More information about the Food Control Plans is also available on the New Zealand Food Safety Authority website, www.nzfsa.govt.nz