Auckland Council is considering allowing its Food Safety Information Bylaw to expire, which could remove the requirement for Auckland food businesses to display their food-safety grade.
This would not remove the grading system or change operators’ underlying food-safety responsibilities.
Businesses would still need to comply with the Food Act 2014, operate under the appropriate food control plan, undergo verification and receive a food-safety grade. Auckland Council would continue to monitor compliance, take enforcement action where required and publish grades through its online register.
What could change is the legal requirement for businesses covered by the Auckland bylaw to display their grade at their premises and on the digital platforms they control. Displaying a grade would instead become voluntary.
The council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee has recommended allowing the bylaw to expire when its current term ends in April 2027. Auckland Council’s Governing Body will make the final decision later this year.
For hospitality operators, food safety remains fundamental. Customer trust is central to a successful business, and the proposed change would not alter the standards businesses are expected to meet.
Compulsory display is not currently applied consistently across New Zealand and the Association believes regulatory requirements should be clear, proportionate and nationally consistent. If mandatory display is considered necessary, there is a wider question about whether it should be addressed nationally rather than through a local rule applying only to some businesses.
For now, there is no change to operators’ obligations. The proposal is still being considered, and businesses covered by the current bylaw must continue displaying their grade as required.