NEW ZEALAND: PRE-PACKAGED FOOD The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 95.231. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: NEW ZEALAND. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Health. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Pre-packaged food. 5. Title and number of pages of the notified document. Proposed Amendment to the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984. 6. Description of content: Main proposals are: - amendment to regulations dealing with vitamins and minerals in foods. The changes extend the range of foods to which it is permitted to add vitamins and minerals and specify the maximum levels permitted (notified under the SPS Agreement), and specify labelling requirements for foods containing vitamins and minerals (notified under the TBT Agreement); - extension of the provisions for light cream (notified under the TBT Agreement); - extension of permission for preservatives in fish roe and fresh poultry which will enable these products to extend their shelf life. The use of these preservatives is not mandatory (notified under the SPS Agreement). The fresh poultry will have a specific labelling requirement of using the permitted preservative for fresh poultry (notified under the TBT Agreement); - correction of an anomaly in the table for permitted preservatives (notified under the TBT Agreement); Description of content: - permission for use of a new artificial sweetner in flavoured yoghurt, confectionery, low-energy foods and as an artificial sweetner preparation (notified under the TBT Agreement); - deletion of standards for coloured sugar (covered generally in other regulations) (notified under the TBT Agreement); - clarification of definitions in the flavouring standard (notified under the TBT Agreement). 7. Objective and rationale: To update New Zealand regulations, allowing wider consumer choice and correcting anomalies in current standards. 8. Relevant documents: Notice of the amendment will be published in the Government Gazette of New Zealand upon enactment. 9. Proposed date of adoption and entry into force: To be gazetted by 20 November 1995. 10. Final date for comments: 22 September 1995. 11. Texts available from: National enquiry point ( ) or address and telefax number of other body: Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington, Phone: +64 4 496 2379, Fax: +64 4 496 2340. (237)

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