Voluntary Implementation Programme (VIP) initiative

To maintain the momentum of the Domestic Food Review (DFR), a VIP involving local councils and food service sector businesses was rolled out in August 2008.

The VIP initiative is a partnership between MAF and a number of local councils (territorial authorities). It uses the Food Act 1981 to introduce food service businesses, such as restaurants, cafés, takeaways and caterers to the template food control plan, one of the key risk-based measures proposed in the Food Bill.

Since the initiative began, more than 2,000 food service sector businesses around New Zealand are using templated food control plans to manage the food safety aspects of their business. Under current legislation, these are approved as food safety programmes.

You can find out more about how the plans work on the page, Food control plans, in the left-hand menu.

The information and feedback from the programme has been an important step in the refinement of the new Food Bill.

Participating councils

70 local councils are taking part in the voluntary programme. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from participating councils have been trained in the application of the new risk management tool. EHOs provide information and support to businesses wanting to adopt a food control plan as their FSP. The template for the food service sector can be obtained free of charge from participating councils or downloaded from the link below.

Food control plan: Food service and catering

Information for participating councils

MAF has developed a password-protected area of this website for local council staff involved in the voluntary implementation programme.

Information for participating councils (Password protected)

Approval of VIP food control plans

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are responsible for ensuring that when you use a template food control plan:

• it meets the requirements to be an approved food safety programme
• is the right fit for your business
• is being followed.

Exemption from Food Hygiene Regulations 1974

Operators who choose to manage the food safety aspects of their business by operating under a templated food control plan approved by MAF are exempt from the requirement to be registered under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.