Which Food Safety Pathway Is Right for Your Business?
If you’re starting or running a food business in New Zealand, one of the first regulatory decisions you’ll face is whether your operation needs a Food Control Plan (FCP) or a National Programme (NP). These are both food safety tools regulated under the New Zealand Food Act 2014 — but they differ in scope, requirements, and risk levels.
At AFS, we help businesses navigate these frameworks every day. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the difference and determine which one suits your business best.
What Is a Food Control Plan?
A Food Control Plan is a written plan that outlines how your business manages food safety. It is generally required for higher-risk food businesses—those that prepare or serve food directly to consumers.
Key features:
- Based on custom or template plans approved by MPI
- Suited for cafés, restaurants, catering companies, food manufacturers, etc.
- Requires record keeping, staff training, and regular verification
- More detailed and customised to suit your specific business operations
What Is a National Programme?
A National Programme is a risk-based framework for lower to medium-risk food businesses. It has fewer requirements than an FCP but still ensures you manage food safety appropriately.
There are 3 levels:
- NP Level 1: Lowest risk (e.g., horticulture businesses)
- NP Level 2: Medium risk (e.g., bread manufacturers, jam producers)
- NP Level 3: Higher medium risk (e.g., cheese makers, food importers)
Key features:
- No written plan required
- Must follow safe food practices and keep records
- Requires registration and periodic verification
- Simpler compliance for operations not directly serving food to the public
Which One Do You Need?
Your food safety requirements depend on:
- The type of food you handle
- Whether you manufacture, import, pack, or sell
- Your customer type (direct to consumer or not)
If you’re unsure which applies to you, the MPI “Where Do I Fit?” tool is a great starting point. Or better yet—speak to our team at AFS, and we’ll guide you step-by-step to ensure you meet the right regulatory framework.
Need Help Getting Started?
At AFS, we’ve helped over 400 food businesses across New Zealand successfully set up, register, and verify their food safety systems—whether under a Food Control Plan or National Programme.
Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for your next verification, we offer:
- Customised food safety plans
- Expert advice and training
- MPI-registered verifiers
- Ongoing compliance support
Need Some Help?
Contact Us Today
Let’s ensure your business is operating with confidence, safety, and full compliance.
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