This Supplementary Order Paper amends the Food Safety Law Reform Bill, amending clause 4, to require the chief executive to regularly and extensively monitor and enforce the labelling of genetically modified food or ingredients with the words “genetically modified”. Genetically modified food is defined in new clause 3B as food (including food additives and processing aids) that contain novel DNA or novel protein, as defined in Standard 1.5.2 of the Food Standards Code in 2016. Some genetically modified foods have been shown to have food safety risks and consumers must have confidence that genetically modified foods are labelled at all times. Neither monitoring nor enforcement of genetically modified food labelling requirements has been directed by the Minister, or the chief executive responsible, since 2003, although considerable amounts of genetically modified food is imported.

The proposed amendment to clause 4 would also require the chief executive to regularly and extensively monitor and enforce that irradiated foods, irradiated ingredients or components, as defined in Standard 1.5.3 of the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code in 2016, must be labelled with the words “irradiated (name of food)” or “treated with ionizing radiation”. Monitoring and enforcement of labelling requirements, as outlined in Standard 1.5.3 of the current Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code, are currently not being monitored or enforced to the expectations of consumers concerned with the safety or nutritional profile of their food.

Consumers need clear labelling to make informed purchasing choices.

The Food Safety Law Reform Bill is focused on measures to maintain and strengthen New Zealand’s reputation as a supplier of safe and suitable food, with particular focus on industry monitoring, compliance and availability of information, and the design of delegated legislation. This Supplementary Order Paper is to make explicit that certain monitoring, compliance and availability of information occurs, as intended under section 18 of the Food Act 2014.