Navigating NZ Food Production Regulations: Turning Regulatory Challenges into Operational Excellence
For New Zealand food producers, the challenge is no longer just about growing or processing food; it is about proving, tracking, and documenting safety at every step of the supply chain.
As regulations tighten both domestically under the Food Standards Code and internationally through Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMARs), producers face mounting pressure. The costs of compliance are rising, and the consequences of failure, ranging from costly product recalls to the loss of export licenses, are severe.
In this environment, machinery and technology are no longer just tools for production; they are critical assets for compliance. This is where the strategic partnerships formed by Advanced Packaging Systems (APS) come into play, offering New Zealand producers access to global technologies specifically designed to solve local regulatory requirements.
Filtec GLF Series – Gravity Level Fillers
The Regulatory Hurdles: Traceability, Hygiene, and Accuracy
The challenges facing NZ producers are multifaceted. First, traceability and labelling have become paramount. Recent changes to allergen labelling requirements (such as the Plain English Allergen Labelling or PEAL updates) mean that producers must be 100% accurate with their on-pack information. Mislabeling is one of the leading causes of food recalls in New Zealand. Export markets like China and the EU demand rigorous “farm-to-fork” traceability, requiring individual batch codes and origin data to be legible and permanent.
Contamination control is non-negotiable. Under the Food Act 2014, producers must operate under a registered Food Control Plan (FCP) or Risk Management Programme (RMP), which necessitates rigorous hazard control. Physical contaminants (metal, glass, plastic) or biological hazards (Listeria, Salmonella) can shut down a plant instantly.
Measurement accuracy is a legal requirement under the Weights and Measures Act. “Short weighting” products not only defrauds consumers but also attracts significant fines and damages brand trust. Conversely, “overfilling” to be safe gives away valuable product, eroding margins in a tight economic climate.
Hanningfield Lump Breaker
Engineering Solutions for Compliance
For New Zealand producers, the pathway to seamless compliance often lies in the specific capabilities of their processing and packaging equipment. APS has a portfolio of international partners whose technologies directly address these pain points.
1. Ensuring Traceability and Labelling Accuracy
To address the rigorous demands of traceability, Nuovo Printing Systems offers a critical solution for the poultry sector. In an industry where Salmonella outbreaks can be devastating, the ability to code individual eggs with origin and batch data is essential for rapid containment. Nuovo’s patented cartridge-based inkjet technology ensures that even fragile items like eggs carry clear, indelible data, satisfying both local food safety standards and export traceability requirements.
Similarly, Filtec Automation provides robust labelling machinery that ensures the right label is applied to the right product every time. In an era where an undeclared allergen can be life-threatening, automated vision systems and precise application prevent the human errors that often lead to mislabeling and recalls.
2. Mastering Hygiene and Contamination Control
Hygiene is perhaps the most critical area of compliance. Russell Finex, a global leader in sieving and filtration, is a key partner for NZ producers dealing with powders and liquids—from milk powder to craft beer. Their self-cleaning filters and vibratory sieves are designed to remove oversized contamination and foreign bodies, acting as a critical Critical Control Point (CCP) in a HACCP plan. By ensuring that no physical contaminants enter the final stages, these machines protect producers from the nightmare scenario of product recall.
The design of a conveyor belt itself plays a massive role in pathogen control. Ashworth and Wire Belt specialise in hygienic stainless steel conveyor belts. In industries like meat and seafood processing, where Listeria can harbour in the crevices of standard machinery, these open belt designs allow for thorough wash-downs and sanitisation. Clean-in-Place capability is not just a convenience; it is often a requirement to pass MPI audits and maintain export verification status.
3. Precision Weighing and Validation
To meet Weights and Measures standards without giving away product, precision is key. Filtec’s net weight fillers and VH Packaging form-fill-seal machines utilise advanced load technology to ensure every pack meets its declared weight. This protects the producer from regulatory fines while optimising yield.
For the high-value nutraceutical and infant formula sectors, compliance goes even deeper. Partners like Hanningfield and Harro Höfliger supply equipment that comes with full validation documentation (FDS, FAT, IQ, OQ). In these highly regulated sectors, having a machine that “works” isn’t enough; you need the paperwork to prove it performs consistently within validated parameters. These partners provide the “Validation Ready” equipment that simplifies the audit process for NZ’s pharmaceutical and functional food exporters.
4. Specialised Sector Support
For New Zealand’s massive egg industry, Moba is the standout partner. Grading eggs isn’t just about size; it’s about quality control. Moba’s graders use advanced detection systems to identify cracks, dirt, and blood spots, ensuring that only compliant product reaches the retail shelf. This automated quality assurance removes the subjectivity of human inspection and ensures adherence to Grade A standards.
Dinnissen Sampling System Disassembled
The Local Advantage
While the technology is global, the application is local. The challenge for many NZ producers is that buying a machine from Europe or the US can leave them stranded when regulations change or calibration is needed.
This is where the “Partners” model of Advanced Packaging Systems adds its true value. By acting as the local conduit for these global giants, APS ensures that New Zealand producers have on-the-ground support to keep their equipment compliant.
Whether it’s calibrating a check-weigher to meet new standards, servicing a sieve to ensure it meets hygiene audit requirements, or supplying parts, the local connection bridges the gap between international innovation and New Zealand regulations.
Get in Touch
Through its network of partners, Advanced Packaging Systems is doing more than selling machinery; they are equipping New Zealand food producers with the tools to turn regulatory challenges into operational excellence. Like to have an obligation free, informal chat? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
