Food Control Plan Verification

Who This Service Is For

This service is suitable for New Zealand food businesses that are registered or preparing to register under a Food Control Plan. This may include cafés and restaurants, food service businesses, food retailers, food manufacturers, caterers, food brands, multi-site food businesses, businesses operating under a Template or Custom Food Control Plan, businesses using My Food Plan, businesses preparing for their first verification, and businesses needing support after previous verification findings.

What We Check During Food Control Plan Verification

Verification may include review of food safety procedures, food handling practices, staff hygiene practices, temperature control records, cooking/cooling/reheating/hot holding records, chilled and frozen storage records, cleaning and sanitising records, allergen management, cross-contamination controls, supplier approval and receiving checks, traceability and recall procedures, date marking and stock rotation, pest control records, maintenance records, calibration records, staff training records, corrective action records, and previous verification findings.

The focus is not only on how the premises looks. The main focus is whether your business is doing the important things needed to keep food safe and suitable.

Template Food Control Plan Verification

A Template Food Control Plan is commonly used by food service and food retail businesses. Verification checks whether the business is following the template requirements and keeping the required records.

• Daily food safety checks
• Temperature records
• Cleaning records
• Staff food safety practices
• Allergen controls
• Corrective actions
• Traceability and recall readiness
• Compliance with the relevant template requirements

Custom Food Control Plan Verification

Some businesses operate under a Custom Food Control Plan because their food activities are more complex or not fully covered by a template. Custom Food Control Plan verification checks whether the business is following its approved plan and managing the food safety risks identified in that plan.

My Food Plan Verification

For businesses operating under My Food Plan, verification may include review of records, procedures, staff practices, corrective actions and food safety implementation. We can support My Food Plan verification by helping businesses prepare the required evidence and understand what may be checked during verification.

Preparing for Food Control Plan Verification

Before verification, your business should make sure records are complete, staff understand procedures and corrective actions are closed where possible. Useful documents may include your registration certificate, current Food Control Plan, food safety procedures, temperature records, cleaning and sanitising records, supplier records, allergen information, training records, calibration records, pest control records, maintenance records, traceability and recall records, corrective action records, and previous verification reports.

Common Issues Found During Food Control Plan Verification

• Missing or incomplete records
• Temperature records not matching actual practices
• Cleaning records not completed
• Staff not following written procedures
• Allergen controls not clearly documented
• Corrective actions not closed
• Traceability or recall records not tested
• Calibration records missing
• Supplier documents not available
• Date marking and stock rotation gaps
• Staff training records incomplete
• Food Control Plan not updated after business changes

How We Can Help

• Food Control Plan verification
• Pre-verification preparation
• Record and procedure review
• Staff practice review
• Corrective action support
• First verification preparation
• Follow-up verification support
• Practical recommendations for improvement

Our Process