New Zealand Updates Irradiated Food Labeling Rules: Compliance Considerations for Food Exporters and Packaging Labels

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), through its Food Safety Authority (FSA), has recently notified food businesses of irradiated food labeling requirements. Chinese exporters affected by these rules should follow the new provisions closely and put response measures in place to lower the risk of unnecessary trade disputes.

To sell irradiated food, or food containing irradiated ingredients or components, in New Zealand, the following conditions must be met:

(1) The food must be permitted for irradiation under Standard 1.5.3, 'Irradiation of Food,' in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

(2) The food must meet the Code's labeling requirements, especially those in Standard 1.5.3, 'Irradiation of Food.'

(3) For imported fresh agricultural products allowed to be irradiated, a corresponding biosecurity import health standard must exist. MPI is responsible for developing biosecurity import health standards.

1. Irradiated food labeling requirements

All irradiated food, or food containing irradiated ingredients or components, must carry the statement 'this food, ingredient or component has been treated with ionizing radiation.' This labeling rule applies to packaged food at every point in the supply chain, from import into New Zealand to sale to consumers.

If food is not required to have formal labeling, the mandatory label statement must appear on or immediately next to the food at all points of sale. While there is no safety reason for the labeling requirement, it allows consumers to make a choice.

1. Wording requirements

No specific wording is prescribed. Examples include 'treated with ionizing radiation' or 'irradiated (food name).' In addition to the mandatory label, the irradiation symbol below may be used:

1. If a supplier's irradiated product is not marked as irradiated, or you suspect a received product was irradiated but is unlabeled:

(1) ask the supplier to confirm the presence or absence of irradiated food, or food containing irradiated ingredients or components;

(2) require the supplier to correctly label future irradiated food, or food containing irradiated ingredients or components;

(3) look for an alternative supplier.

1. False or misleading statements

Fair trading laws prohibit any false, misleading or deceptive statements. The Food Act 1981 also bans the sale of food with false or misleading statements, wording, trademarks, pictures, labels or marks. In a self-service area, mixing irradiated and non-irradiated bulk produce such as tomatoes and only using sign 16 to state 'some tomatoes have been irradiated' does not fully comply with the Food Standards Code. Retailers must take steps to ensure customers can identify irradiated and non-irradiated products.

1. Products that must bear the statement 'this food, ingredient or component has been treated with ionizing radiation'

(1) Imported irradiated food, or food containing irradiated ingredients or components.

(2) Packaged irradiated fresh tomatoes or peppers.

(3) Irradiated herbs and spices sold in small packages.

(4) Processed food containing irradiated ingredients.

1. Products that do not need formal labeling but require an accompanying mandatory irradiation statement

(1) Whole irradiated fruits or vegetables sold loose in supermarkets, greengrocers and markets, such as mangoes and tomatoes.

(2) Irradiated food sold in catering establishments.

(3) Takeaway pizza containing irradiated herb ingredients.

(4) Irradiated tomatoes in sandwiches in a cafe display cabinet.

(5) Irradiated lychees in fruit salad in a cafeteria.

(6) Irradiated food in dishes ordered from a menu.

—This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361894.html