Classic kiwi sausage sizzle under threat

Classic Kiwi fundraisers - the sausage sizzle and the cake stall - are under scrutiny as part of a sweeping review of food safety regulations.

The Food Safety Authority is making the first major review of food controls in 25 years so it can set up regulations whose objectives would include reducing the food-poisoning rate, which is the highest in the developed world.

That means the humble sausage sizzle, cake stall and school gala - where food is sold to the public - are under inspection.

But the review, which was first announced two years ago, has raised the ire of some community groups who fear their fundraising will be overtaken by red tape.

The Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, has been involved in fundraising sausage sizzles for 35 years and no one had ever got sick. He thought the review was a "load of rubbish".

"I don't see why we should be changing. It's another nail into the coffin of freedom in this country. People have sausage sizzles outside the Warehouse, or outside the Mad Butcher - no one gets sick or dies. To me it is just ludicrous."

National MP Katherine Rich said she knew a woman who, after 15 years at the Wanaka A&P Show, was giving up selling her homemade jam to raise funds for Save The Children. More rules meant she may have to register her kitchen.

Ms Rich also said a rugby club's women's committee had been told it could not raise money by catering because the kitchen it used was not registered.

"It is a Government department getting into areas of life where quite frankly they don't need to be."

But Food Safety Authority executive director Andrew McKenzie said it wanted as little regulatory intervention as possible.

"Especially in areas like this that are almost icons of Kiwiana, but, at the same time, we must ensure risks to the public are minimised."

Sausage sizzles and the like are already covered by laws. Bring-a-plate functions will not be included in the review.

Dr McKenzie reported on the review's progress to Parliament's health select committee yesterday. Submissions closed in February and workshops are now being held around the country.