'Tea and bickies' safe

Changing rules concerning food for sale are in the pipeline but some diehard traditions like ‘ladies a plate please’ after a monthly meeting are still safe.

However council’s health inspector Derek Batchelor warns that food prepared for sale at the annual church gala or any similar function will be subject to some control unless it is deemed to be ‘low risk’.

Foods that are baked or boiled are ‘low risk’ examples.

However foods such as pickles, and lemon honey made with eggs that are now in the ‘high risk’ category can only be sold from licensed kitchens.

Mr Batchelor said these changes will affect regular events like Farmers’ Markets where food will have to be prepared on Registered Food Premises.

The changes are coming in the wake of a Domestic Food Review which is currently being undertaken by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

Mr Batchelor said he wanted the public to be aware of the changes because there was “some concern” in the community.

Domestic kitchens could possibly be upgraded to commercial standards for the manufacture of low risk foods, he said.

Copies of the Domestic Food Review are currently available at the Dannevirke service centre and may also be distributed to other service centres.

They are attractive, easy to read and should help to clarify any questions.