Produco Ltd - Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance Specialists

17/03/2026

🚢 Do you Export Food and operate under the Food Act?

🍯🧃🐟 If so, it’s important to know that the requirements your food product meets under the Food Act, may be different to other countries import market requirements (also known as Importing Country Requirements)

In New Zealand, all food must generally comply with the Food Standards Code and other NZ standards, such as composition and labelling

🌎 Each country had different conditions that you will need to satisfy

To understand what those are, you will need to:
a). Read the OMARs / ICRs and
b). Compare to the NZ requirements
c). Contact your Importer of each country and check with them (conditions can change regularly so it’s important to do this often)

❓Need to confirm compliance?
Get in touch now and we’ll check it for you

16/03/2026

📱 Digital Food Labelling Trial

Applications have opened for certain imported pre-packaged food products available for retail sale, to use digital labelling for a 12 month trial period.

The aim of the trial is to determine whether it's possible to shape a future compliance pathway to use digital labelling.

🔖 The approved retailers must provide a digital New Zealand label, while the physical product label must continue to meet the exporting country’s regulatory labelling requirements.

The products will still need to comply with the Food Act 2014, compositional requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and all other relevant legislation.

Expressions of interest are now open and close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 April 2026. Follow the link for more information from NZ Food Safety.

Find out about the trial and how to apply to take part. Expressions of interest close at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 8 April 2026.

12/03/2026

🚢 Product stuck in shipping containers?
🤔 How to plan for Storage shortages...

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created mass supply chain disruption, resulting in delays to key food ingredients among other goods. And these constraints may continue for several months, placing increased pressure on global and domestic supply chains.

With shipping lines diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, operators face extra fuel costs of approximately USD $1M per voyage, and extra weeks of transit time. These extended journeys increase the risk profile for temperature‑sensitive and shelf‑life‑limited products, requiring careful planning to maintain product integrity and compliance with food safety standards.

For New Zealand businesses, products are either:
- Being returned to NZ or
- Redeploying to other markets

The sudden return of additional inventory has the potential to exceed existing storage capacity - creating pressure on temperature‑controlled facilities and triggering the need for expanded operational capability...

🏤 So, to proactively manage these risks, businesses may need to increase the scope of their Risk Management Programme (RMP) - adding new product types, expanding storage capacity, or new categories of temperature‑controlled or specialised goods.

💁🏽‍♀️ Produco can support you through this process...
Our team is experienced in RMP boundary extensions and can guide you through expanding your scope, updating documentation, and ensuring compliance.

🧑🏽‍🏫 We also provide staff training to help your team meet new food safety and handling requirements associated with storing unfamiliar or higher‑risk products

18/02/2026

🚫 You've seen the latest Recalls... now we unpack how to manage hidden Risks:

🤔 Supplier Audits That Actually Add Value

Tick-box audits don’t protect your brand — real insight does

Produco goes beyond compliance to identify and uncover:
⚠️ Potential risks +
⚠️ Verify controls
✅ To give you confidence in your supply chain

From ingredient manufacturers to packaging suppliers, we bring the pieces of the puzzle together to deliver practical, evidence-based assessments that help you prevent issues before they become recalls

✔ Food safety & regulatory compliance
✔ Risk-based, practical audits
✔ Clear reports — No fluff, just facts
✔ Support for approval, monitoring & reassessment
✔ Experience in high-risk sectors (including Infant Nutrition)

Know your suppliers.
Protect your product.
Strengthen your reputation.

👉🏽 Get in touch to discuss how we can strengthen your supplier approval programme

18/02/2026

🚫 You've seen the latest Recalls...now manage the unforeseen Risks:

💡 Supplier Audits that actually add Value

Tick-box audits don’t protect your brand — real insight does.

Produco goes beyond compliance, to uncover risks, verify controls, and give you confidence in your supply chain.

🧩 From ingredient manufacturers to packaging suppliers, we bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to deliver practical, evidence-based assessments that help you prevent issues before they become recalls

✔ Food safety & regulatory compliance
✔ Risk-based, practical Audits
✔ Clear Reports — no fluff, just facts
✔ Support for approval, monitoring & reassessment
✔ Experience in High-Risk sectors (including Infant Nutrition)

Know your Suppliers.
Protect your Product.
Strengthen your Reputation.

👉🏽 Get in touch with us to discuss how we can strengthen your supplier approval programme

29/01/2026

🌏 Thinking of exporting your food or beverage products?
Before you take that exciting leap, it’s crucial to have everything ticked off.

From having robust systems in place to meet New Zealand regulatory requirements…
to navigating importing country rules — NIP panels, labelling, allergen declarations, and more — the compliance landscape can be complex and unforgiving.

That’s where we come in.

Over the past year, we’ve partnered with multiple businesses to develop, refine, and embed strong compliance processes. The result?
✔️ Stronger internal systems
✔️ Lower regulatory and border hold risks
✔️ Confident market entry

As more Kiwi businesses look to export in 2026, now is the time to make sure your product, systems & processes are export ready

🚀 If you’re planning to export this year, let’s talk.

We can review your current systems, identify compliance gaps, and get you set up for a smooth, low risk entry into your target markets.

👉 Send us a message or book a conversation today — don’t leave compliance to chance.

19/01/2026

New Product Development ➡️Functional Beverage Trends for 2026

Food Ingredients First says the introduction of functional ingredients such as adaptogens, nootropics, probiotics, and plant-based compounds to make more nutritionally loaded beverages is a continued trend for 2026.

🫚 Keffir, kombucha and fermented ingredients continues as consumers understand the link between having a healthy gut microbiome and improved immunity.

🌿Improved mental clarity and focus is another area, with nootropics, adaptogens and botanicals for their various therapeutic qualities.

Expect to see more prebiotic sodas with added added live cultures, as well as fibre-enhanced drinks coming to the market.

There will also be a move to clean up the energy drinks category, following regulatory changes such as reducing sugar levels in the UK and dietary guidelines in the US.

Functional beverage innovators are poised to push the boundaries further this year by developing drinks that transcend refreshment and hydration to target holistic health benefits, encompassing the body, mood, and mind — all in convenient formats. The beverages for wellness trend is predi...

15/01/2026

🥗 What we've been eating over Summer

Grilled Peach & Tomato with Basil & Burrata Salad

🍑 Seasonal stone fruit and tomatoes grilled to perfection then coupled with Summer flavours of basil and rocket have made this recipe by Two Raw Sisters has been a hit for BBQs and entertaining over the holiday season.

Get amongst it!

Elevate your summer salads with this stunning Grilled Peaches, Tomatoes, Basil + Burrata salad! This simple yet elegant recipe from Two Raw Sisters combines sweet, juicy peaches, fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy burrata for a taste sensation. Perfect for a light lunch or a summer dinner pa

13/01/2026

Navigating Imported Product Registration in China:
➡️ Key points for Success...

Bringing imported products into China - especially in the food, dairy, and nutrition sectors - requires careful planning and a clear understanding of regulatory expectations.

Key Requirements for GACC Registration
1. Product Classification Matters:
- ensure your product is correctly classified under the relevant HS code and GACC regulatory category - this drives all downstream requirements

2. Overseas Manufacturer Registration
- many product types must be registered with GACC before export. This includes providing detailed information about your facility, processes, and safety controls

3. Label Compliance
- Chinese labelling standards are strict. Your CN label must meet GB standards, accurately translate ingredients, claims, allergens, and shelf-life

4. Traceability & Quality Records
- robust traceability is non-negotiable. Be prepared to provide testing results, production records, and verification your product meets Chinese GB standards

5. Documentation Accuracy
- registration applications require precise details - errors can lead to delays or rejections. Double-check everything: formulations, supplier lists, and process descriptions.

6. Ongoing Compliance
- registration isn't a one-off task. Expect audits, renewal requirements, and periodic updates if formulations or processes change

💡 Pro Tip: Start early.
- The GACC process can be lengthy, and proactive preparation helps avoid costly delays at the border

If you're navigating China market entry or refreshing your regulatory strategy, staying informed and compliant is essential for smooth approvals and successful launch.

At Produco, we have worked with companies to navigate the GACC registration process and input documentation into the CIFER system.

Having dedicated people working on the project improves the accuracy and success of your project

08/01/2026

Thrilled to support the Special Childrens Christmas day at Mystery Creek Events Centre in December.

This years Waikato event brought together over 1,600 children and their families to relax, enjoy in an all-inclusive space.

Each year, nearly 10,000 Kiwi children with special needs, challenging life or health circumstances are invited to parties like no other at several locations throughout New Zealand.

“These kids live with ill-health, disability, challenging home circumstances 24/7.
Regardless of their situation, kids are kids. They want to go out and have fun. To be kids.”
Mark Wikstrom, NZ Event Mgr.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

We hope you had the chance to relax and take a break over the past few weeks and recharge.

Our offices are officially back open, with almost all our consultants back on deck after a well‑deserved holiday.

We’re refreshed, ready, and excited to support you with your projects and deliverables for 2026.

Whether you're kicking off something new, or need to build momentum on an existing initiative, we're here to help make it happen.

Wishing you a productive and inspiring year ahead!

✨ Let’s make 2026 a great one together

25/11/2025

U.S infant formula tested positive for Botulism contamination

😷 There are currently 31 confirmed patients across 15 American states
⃣🏥 All of the babies have required hospitalisation, no deaths

🔬 Spores that cause botulism poisoning have been identified through testing in unopened containers of ByHeart infant formula

Since Nov 2024 - over 100 babies have received medical treatment for botulism poisoning.

All ByHeart products have been officially recalled. However, with products still being found on the shelves, and exported overseas, this recall needs serious crisis management.
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/11/more-than-100-babies-have-received-treatment-for-botulism-in-relation-to-byheart-formula-outbreak/?

California health officials say the current infant botulism outbreak traced to ByHeart formula was preceded by several cases beginning in November 2024.