The New Zealand government has accepted in principle 29 recommendations contained in a new report about the country’s dairy food safety regulatory system, which was released as part of the investigation of the whey protein concentrate contamination incident (see IBO 8/31/13). Although the report found that the incident was not the result of a failure of the country’s food safety system, the government will spend NZD 8–12 million ($7–$10 million) annually to implement the report’s recommendations. An additional NZD 4.4 million in funding in fiscal 2015 will go to increase the Ministry for Primary Industries’ overseas operations. The amount will increase to NZD 8.3 million in fiscal 2018. A new center of food safety science and research will be established with a total of NZD 5 million in funding from government and business. A strategic plan addressing dairy processing and regulations will be created and an additional $1 million annual investment will be made in these capabilities. A food safety and assurance advisory council will also be formed.

Source: Department of Internal Affairs