GS1 New Zealand to launch National Recall Portal 

In collaboration with major food and grocery suppliers, both major supermarket retailers (Foodstuffs, Progressive Enterprises) and the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF), GS1 New Zealand will introduce a National Recall notification service to improve the efficiency of removing potentially harmful grocery, food, liquor and other products from the supply chain.

The service, ProductRecallNZ, will be launched in April 2012 and will enable manufacturers and suppliers to share real-time recall and withdrawal notifications with their trading partners in a secure and targeted manner. It will offer a range of business benefits, including:

• A single, industry-based recall and withdrawal process, aligned with the requirements of the regulator
• An easy and intuitive workflow that makes the process of issuing and managing notifications simpler and without duplication of effort
• The ability to target notifications to selected companies with tailored information
• Lower risks and costs in the execution of recalls with associated brand protection.

Recipients of notifications (primarily retailers) will have an electronic notification point, with appropriate audit trails replacing the ‘kaleidoscope’ of emails, faxes and phone calls prevalent now. Once operational, it is intended that ProductRecallNZ will become the defacto tool used by New Zealand’s major retailers to support product recall and withdrawals.

(Note: using ProductRecallNZ does not replace any statutory obligations associated with a recall). To register your interest and ensure your company receives an invitation to register, please send an e-mail to ProductRecallNZ@gs1nz.org or phone GS1 New Zealand on 0800 10 23 56.