Minister Has Bigger Fish to Fry than Preschool Food

The cost of new food safety regulations have the potential to be the last straw for small, rural and isolated community-based early childhood centres, says New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Education Tracey Martin.

“New Zealand First wants appropriate food regulations to counter health risks but kindergartens, play centres, kōhanga reo and early childhood education centres looking after our youngest children have been swept up in blanket legislation under the Food Act 2014, that is intended for larger organisations such as food manufacturers.

“Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew has admitted that centres providing breakfast and lunch for children will now have to engage with the Ministry of Primary Industries.

“This adds another layer of bureaucratic compliance when they are already subject to Ministry of Education regulations.

“New Zealand First supports the Early Childhood Council’s position that there have been no real problems with food preparation in early childhood centres and that some may now be forced to stop serving food. This will place extra pressure and costs on parents.

“Given play centres, kōhanga reo and many kindergartens work on donations, New Zealand First calls on the Minister to exempt them from this costly and unnecessary legislation.

“The former Minister had to step in to avoid unintended consequences of the Food Act in 2011, this Minister needs to do the same,” says Ms Martin.

ENDS

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