New Zealand government is set to launch Food Safety and Assurance Advisory Council to provide independent advice to the government on issues relating to food safety.
The council is one of the 29 recommendations of the Government Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate Contamination Incident, which occured last year.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director-general will set up the council, which will cover operational, policy, and regulatory issues across New Zealand's entire food safety and assurance regime.
The council will provide a valuable sounding board for new ideas and contribute to raising consumer and market confidence in New Zealand's food.
MPI will provide NZ$250,000 per year for the Food Safety Assurance Advisory Council, while it will report to director-general after each quarterly meeting and provide an annual report to him.
New Zealand Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye said the council will have up to six members skilled in fields such as food regulation, public health, science, business, and international relations.
"The council will tap into the highest calibre expertise in food safety disciplines with both national and international experience," Kaye added.
