Verification

Registered food businesses need to be independently checked (called “verifying”) to make sure they are selling safe food. This should be done within six weeks of the business first registering. 

A verifier will visit your business to check that you and your staff understand the food safety requirements and are following the processes and procedures outlined in your FCP or NP (through actions and records). 

• FCP businesses that trade only in the Kāpiti Coast area are verified by Council staff.
  
  
• FCP businesses that also trade outside of Kāpiti, and most NP businesses can choose to be verified by Council or by a third-party verifier (refer to the MPI Register of Recognised Agencies). You will be asked to identify your choice of verification agency on the registration application form. 
   
• See food premises fees and charges for the current verification fees.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) outlines everything you need to know about verification in their Getting your food business verified section. 

Verification frequency

If you’ve shown you’re meeting all the requirements at your verification, you will have longer periods between verification visits. If the verifier has some concerns though, you may need to have more regular verification checks. Visits generally occur on the following timetable: