Prepare for your food registration

To run a business under the Food Act 2014, you need to register with your local council or the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The organisation you register with depends on where you operate, and what type of plan or programme you need. To find out what type of plan or programme you need, and who you should be registering with, visit the MPI website and use their 'My Food Rules' tool.

Food Control Plans (FCP's)

There are two types of food control plans, Template Food Control Plans or Custom Food Control Plans. You can register with our Council if you plan to operate under a Template Food Control Plan.

If you plan to operate under a Custom Food Control Plan you will need to register with MPI.

A Template Food Control Plan (tFCP) is a pre-evaluated plan for managing food safety and suitability. New Zealand Food Safety provides a number of pre-evaluated plans that you can download and use to create your tFCP. You can access these templates on MPI's website here or alternatively, the tool linked above will produce a plan for you.

National Programmes (NP's)

Lower and medium-risk businesses are more likely to register under a National Programme. This means they don't need to use written Food Control Plans, but must register the business, meet food safety standards, keep some records, and get checked (verified).

There are 3 levels of National Programmes, which are based on the food safety risk of the activities a business does. MPI have developed guidance documents for food businesses working under National Programmes which will help you manage your food safety risks.

• National Programme 1 Guidance - (lower risk)
• National Programme 2 Guidance - (medium risk)
• National Programme 3 Guidance - (higher risk)

Scope of Operations

Once you have your tFCP or NP prepared you can complete your Scope of Operations form which tells us exactly what your business does. This form needs to be submitted to us along with your registration form.