By Carol Barnao
To help make the rules around supplemented food more easily understood, the MAF has issued an updated user guide for the New Zealand Supplemented Food Standard.
The Standard came into force on 31 March 2010 to provide updated regulation for food-type dietary supplements (supplemented foods).
The dietary supplements that come in controlled dose form such as pills and capsules are still regulated under the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985, which continue to be administered by the Ministry of Health.
MAF food standards senior adviser Sally Jones says the Supplemented Food Standard user guide has been updated to make it more user-friendly, and to help manufacturers and suppliers more easily determine which regulations their products must comply with.
“We know from feedback that it’s not always clear-cut for businesses to establish what set of rules their products have to comply with – even with the help of a guide,” Sally says.
“This new version of the guide aims to interpret and apply the requirements of the Standard. However, businesses that need additional assistance in determining which rules apply to their products can always contact us.”
The user guide is aimed at manufacturers, importers, exporters, retailers, consultants and Food Act Officers.
The Standard applies to products which are represented as a food but has a substance or substances added, or that have been modified in some way to perform a physiological role beyond the provision of a simple nutritive requirement.
These products must include the word “supplemented food” on the label.
Products that fall under the Supplemented Food Standard must also meet some Food Standards Code requirements. For example nutrition information panel, allergen labelling, mandatory use of English and warning labels for substances that have associated risks, such as caffeine.
The updated user guide is available online at:
http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/zealand-supplemented-foods-standard-user-guide/
When the Supplemented Food Standard was introduced last year it included a two-year transition period for manufacturers to comply with the new rules.
Businesses (including manufacturers and retailers) are being reminded that the transition period finishes on March 31, 2012 at which time all supplemented food must comply with Part 1 of the Supplemented Food Standard.
