MEDIA RELEASE

14 September 2007

New ISO standard to strengthen food safety measures

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released a new food safety Standard.

Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations (ISO 7218:2007), applies to the microbiology of food, animal feeding stuffs, the food production environment and the primary production environment.

ISO is a non-governmental network of the national standards institutes of 157 countries. Standards New Zealand, as New Zealand’s national Standards body is a member of ISO.

ISO Standards are internationally recognised and are the result of a consensus solution that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society, such as the needs of stakeholder groups like consumers and users.

Standards make a positive contribution to the world we live in. They ensure vital features such as quality, economy, safety, reliability, compatibility, interoperability, efficiency and effectiveness. Standards facilitate trade, broaden knowledge, and share technological advances and good management practices.

To purchase a copy of this document go to www.standards.co.nz

ENDS