Consumer Issues Sector

The Green Party is calling on food safety authorities to take a precautionary approach and test fruit and vegetables imported from China, following reported possible finds of melamine contamination in other countries.

The Green Party is urging New Zealand manufacturers to follow the lead of the makers of Anathoth jams and introduce detailed, accurate country of origin labelling on their products.

Food safety concerns can only grow with the start of New Zealand’s preferential trade deal with China tomorrow, says the Green Party.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley says the official start of our trade agreement with China, on October 1, could also signal an increase in unsafe food products.

In the wake of the European Union’s ban on imports of all Chinese milk-related products for children over the weekend, the New Zealand Government must put consumers before trade deals in its handling of the melamine scandal, Green Party MP Sue Kedgley says.

In light of the Chinese infant formula scandal, New Zealanders will be shocked to learn that Labour and National have voted against a 39,000-signature petition calling for mandatory country of origin labelling of fresh and single component food, Green MP Sue Kedgley says.

It is incredible that the Government still insists on keeping New Zealanders in the dark on the question of where their food comes from, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.

"In answer to my question in the House today, Food Safety Minister Lianne Dalziel confirmed her view that country of origin is not a food safety issue.