Security Classification - None
OIA25-0860
23 January 2026
G Smith
[FYI request #33131 email].
Dear G Smith,
Thank you for your email of 4 December 2025 requesting information relating to the number
of food safety incidents notified to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) from 2021 to 2025
relating to the Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch programme. Your request has been considered
under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
All New Zealand food businesses are required to ensure the food they sell is safe and suitable for
consumers. Both food safety and suitability are defined in the Food Act 2014 (the Food Act). The
operator must comply with the Food Act. A requirement of the legislation is that required food
businesses are registered and regularly checked by an independent verifier appointed under the
Food Act.
If there is a food safety or suitability concern, the food business is supported to make changes and
put in place the necessary corrective actions to ensure the food they sell is safe and suitable. If the
food business does not put in place the necessary corrective actions, New Zealand Food Safety
(NZFS) can use enforcement tools to correct the situation. You can read more about NZFS’s
compliance and enforcement approach here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-business/running-a-
food-business/enforcement-food-act-2014
You requested the following:
Please supply the number of food safety incidents notified to MPI for the years 2021-
2025, from the Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch programme
MPI will not be able to respond within the timeframe set out in the Official Information Act
1982 (OIA) in accordance with section 15A(1)(b) as consultations necessary to make a
decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within
the normal 20-working-day time limit.
MPI will reply to your request by no later than 23 February 2026, earlier if possible.
Should you have any concerns with this response, I would encourage you to raise these with
MPI at
[email address]. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to
also raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the
Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143 or
at [email address].
Ministry for Primary Industries
Charles Fergusson Building
38-42 Bowen Street
PO Box 2526
Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
mpi.govt.nz
Yours sincerely,
Kimberly Holdaway
Acting Director, Food Risk Management
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