EU auditors find conflict of interest risk in New Zealand audit

European auditors have identified a potential conflict of interest risk related to the monitoring of bivalve mollusks in New Zealand.

The audit by DG Sante took place remotely and onsite in April and May 2024 to evaluate the control system for live bivalve mollusks.

New Zealand has 68 classified growing areas listed for export to the EU. The main exports are mussels followed, at a much lower volume, by oysters and clams.

Auditors said the control system effectively meets the requirements for bivalve mollusks certified for export to the EU. However, there is a need to better manage potential conflicts of interest for certified samplers involved in the monitoring of mollusk growing areas.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the main authority for bivalve mollusks. It has two main branches responsible for sanitary policy and exports of mollusks. One of these is New Zealand Food Safety, which is responsible for regulating safety.

Supervision of samplers
An application to become a certified sampler must include a declaration of actual or potential conflict of interest and the animal products officer must decide if it is acceptable.

The audit team noted a potential risk of conflict of interest because samplers are paid directly by the industry and, in some cases, collect monitoring samples from growing areas in which the sampler owns a mollusk production lease.

MPI’s system for supervising certified samplers is mainly indirect. It relies on notifications from laboratories when sample conditions and accompanying forms are not in line with requirements at reception, and the reputation of samplers.

Auditors saw notifications from labs to animal product officers for samples with non-conformances. One lab did not always send such notifications to the animal products officer and this had not been noticed by MPI.

“The current MPI system of supervision over certified samplers is excessively indirect and superficial to provide strong assurances of reliable sampling,” said DG Sante.

Growing areas are monitored for E. coli, marine biotoxins and heavy metals in mollusk flesh, and for fecal coliforms and phytoplankton in water.

At the time of the audit, there were 10 labs recognized for testing samples from growing areas within the bivalve mollusk monitoring program. All three labs visited by the audit team regularly participated in proficiency testing and generally got satisfactory results.

Issues were identified with amnesic shellfish poison testing methods and in sedimentation times during proficiency testing for phytoplankton.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) has reported an outbreak of Clostridium perfringens among university students in Christchurch. It involved 171 students who reported gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at the halls of residence in early November. An investigation indicated the incident was likely due to incorrect handling of chicken used in a meal. Fecal samples provided by some affected pupils were positive for Clostridium perfringens. New Zealand Food Safety helped the kitchen staff to manage any ongoing risks related to the outbreak.

In October 2024, an outbreak of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) involved 17 cases at a Waikato correctional facility. An investigation pointed to food as the likely source. Corrective actions included the provision of hand hygiene facilities and preventing wild birds from accessing the food preparation area.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/01/eu-auditors-find-conflict-of-interest-risk-in-new-zealand-audit/