The legislation has introduced a sliding scale where businesses that are at a higher risk, from a food safety viewpoint, are required to operate under stricter requirements than lower risk outlets. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) points out that a corner dairy operator who reheats meat pies is treated differently from a meat pie manufacturer.

New food businesses must register when they start to trade. Existing businesses are required to register with a set of rolling deadlines.

Registration was required by 31 March 2018 for a group of businesses including cafes and clubs without an alcohol licence, bakeries, caterers, rest homes, dairies, convenience stores and some food manufacturers. For a comprehensive list, go here. If your business is in this group and hasn't registered, you must be in touch with MPI now.

The next group of businesses to register must do so by 30 November 2018. Go here for more details.