Food business verification services

About food business verification

All registered food businesses must be checked by a recognised verification agency. The verification service confirms your business is producing food that is safe,  suitable Food that meets label and ingredient requirements and is in the right condition for its intended use.  and meets food safety requirements.

We will visit your premises when you have registered your business. Our role is to check that you are managing food safety properly.

Not all food businesses are subject to grading. A food business is graded based on its performance against our food safety criteria through the verification process.

What ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation means

The council is accredited under ISO/IEC 17020 as an inspection agency. This means our food safety verification services use consistent, inspection standards and processes.

We can verify businesses registered under:

• Template food control plan (TFCP) – food service and retail
• National programme.

Visit Food business verification services available through Auckland Council for more information.

What happens during a verification visit

All food businesses are assessed using the same criteria. On arrival, we explain the purpose of the visit and carry out checks in a professional manner that is respectful of your business.

The verification officer checks your business against:

• Food Regulations 2015
• relevant food safety laws.

To inspect your premises, we follow a consistent process:

• observe food handling and processes
• ask questions
• talk with you and your staff
• check records and documents, if required
• make decisions based on evidence
• explain any issues they find and what you need to do to fix them.

These checks help the officer to confirm that food is being prepared safely and correctly.

When issues are found

If the verification finds something that needs to be fixed, it will be recorded as a Corrective Action Request (CAR). If a CAR is issued, the officer will:

• discuss the problem with you
• agree on a timeframe for you to fix it.

After the verification

• You will receive a summary report.
• If any CARs were issued, you need to fix them within an agreed timeframe.
• You will get an invoice for the verification and details on any CAR follow-up issues.

When your verification can happen

For new businesses, your first verification usually takes place within six weeks of your registration being approved.

For information on how to get your food business registered, visit Apply for food registration.

How often a food business is verified

The frequency of your verification depends on:

• your previous verification results
• the level of risk associated with your business.

If this is your first verification, we recommend you prepare in advance. Businesses that consistently manage their food safety well, may be checked less often.

Email hosposupport@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and request a pre-verification checklist to help you get ready.

When you need to request a verification service

You can apply for verification services with us if your business is based in Auckland and falls into one of these risk-based categories:

• Template Food Control Plan - Section 40 industry-based template: Food businesses are Auckland-based and registered with Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
• National Programme 2 or 3 businesses: This includes:
  
  • brewers and distillers
  • non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers
  • processors of herbs, spices, nuts, seeds and coffee roasting
  • bakeries that only make bread
  • manufacturers of confectionery
  • manufacturers of dry mixes
  • food manufacturers of shelf-stable foods such as sauces, spreads, preserves and grain-based products.

If you are not sure which plan or programme applies to your business, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website and use the My Food Rules tool. You can also call the MPI Food Safety Helpline on 0800 00 83 33.

How much the verification will cost

We will send you a quote based on the current hourly rate and the information you provide. The costs depend on:

• the size of your business
• how complex your food processes are
• how long the verification takes.

An invoice will be sent to you after your verification and payment must be made by the due date. Visit Food registration and alcohol licence fees and charges for the hourly rate.

How to apply

Step one – Apply for verification

Complete the request form for verification services and email it to hosposupport@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

We will review your form within 10 working days.

You must complete all the sections in the form so your verification request can be processed and scheduled without delay.

Completing a service request form does not automatically mean we have accepted the work. If we can verify your business, we will send you a service agreement and cost estimate. If we cannot accept your application or if you choose to use another provider, you will need to:

• use a third-party verification agency
• get a confirmation letter from them
• include the letter with your food registration application.

Visit Apply for food registration for information on how to register your business.

Step two – Accept the agreement

If you accept the cost estimate and terms and conditions of our verification service agreement, you need to sign the agreement and return it to the email shown.

Step three – Receive confirmation

After we get your signed agreement we will give you a letter of verification confirming Auckland Council as your verification service provider.

If your business is not directly registered with Auckland Council, you must include our letter of verification when registering your food business.