New Food Safety Minister Visits Fonterra's Whareroa site to mark the start of Foodsafe Week

14 November

Lianne Dalziel undertook her first official engagement in her new portfolio at Fonterra's Whareroa Dairy Factory in Hawera to mark Foodsafe week which started on Monday. Food Safety shifted from Annette King to Lianne Dalziel under the Cabinet reshuffle announced last week.

Lianne Dalziel selected Madison Pita, aged 8, of Palmerston North as the winner of a colouring competition run by Fonterra to highlight the food safety message amongst the children of its staff.

Whareroa is the world's largest dairy factory and has a great record in food safety, Lianne Dalziel said.

"That record isn't to be taken for granted. One food safety scare can have serious consequences both in terms of domestic consumer confidence and in overseas markets which see New Zealand as a trusted supplier of food. The government takes our excellent reputation in this regard seriously."

Following the annoucement of the winning colouring competition entry Lianne Dalziel was taken on a tour of the factory where she was able to see first hand the foodsafety practices Fonterra undertakes on a daily basis.

Events publicising Foodsafe Week will be running at venues around the country between November 12-19. Check with your local public health unit for more information. Look out, too, for the Partnership's mascot, Foodsafe Freddie, who will feature extensively in televised advertising campaigns.

For further information on foodborne illnesses visit www.nzfsa.govt.nz