Country of origin of food
The Government has recently introduced a requirement for country of origin information for certain foods. This page provides information about these new changes.
On this page
Summary
The Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Act (the Act) was passed in 2018. The Act required the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to recommend a consumer information standard (to be made via regulations) by 4 June 2021.
On 10 May 2021 the Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) were made under the Fair Trading Act 1986. These Regulations give effect to the requirements in the Act by setting the detailed country of origin labelling requirements.
The Regulations were due to commence on 12 November 2021. However, on 9 September 2021 the Government agreed to delay the commencement of the Regulations by 3 months. This will give businesses more time to prepare for the Regulations, recognising the significant disruption caused by the re-emergence of COVID-19 in the community.
The Regulations will now commence on 12 February 2022 and do not apply to frozen foods until 12 May 2023.
Country of origin of food(external link) — Commerce Commission
Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2021(external link) — New Zealand Legislation
Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2021 - Minute of Decision [PDF 185KB]
Background
An exposure draft of the Regulations was released for public feedback in December 2019. We received 53 submissions in total and a number of minor changes have been made in response to the feedback.
Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations – Exposure draft and submissions
Summary of feedback on the Exposure draft [PDF, 992 KB]
Read about the Consumer’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill(external link) — Parliament
Contact us
If you have any questions email consumer@mbie.govt.nz