On 30 October 2023, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) issued a consultation paper to amend the import requirements for frozen berries. The feedback period ends January 8, 2024. Main contents:

(1) Set frozen berries as high risk food regulatory requirements, the main risks are norovirus and hepatitis A virus;

(2) Cancel the microbial detection of frozen ready-to-eat berries and replace it with: official certificate; A laboratory test report issued by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited overseas laboratory indicating that the shipment complies with the specified standards for E. coli microorganisms; E. coli testing of cargo by an approved New Zealand laboratory;

(3) A transitional period of 18 months is proposed from the date of publication of the new notice.