Food is an integral part of life, and New Zealand has carefully cultivated a global reputation for food quality and safety, writes Steve Maharey.

A fresh herb grower has confirmed its Italian parsley, which was stocked by two New World supermarkets in the Auckland region, has tested positive for listeria.

Thousands of pine trees in northern Italy that provide much of the country's pesto are being destroyed because of parasites that have no known treatment.

New Zealand apple growers have enjoyed another strong season and the industry looks set to hit the goal of $1 billion in export receipts earlier than the 10-year target of 2022.

Whittaker's have stopped production of a new chocolate flavour as they investigate a report that a wasp was found embedded in a block.

The $3 million factory is being opened as Pitango increases production and looks to boost exports.

Kiwi chocolate company will unveil some interesting new flavours, including Kaitaia Fire hot sauce, Marlborough sea salt and Oolong tea grown in the Waikato.

The country is on the verge of a gluten-free boom, says Coeliac New Zealand.

A chef was filmed in 3D performing kitchen tasks. His actions were then translated into digital movement using algorithms.

A hunger for burritos and an eye for convenience led Ben Polkinghorne to develop the Bangerritos - burrito filling in a sausage casing.

The South Island will soon see what all the fuss is about, with Lewis Road Creamery doing it's best to bring it's popular fresh chocolate milk to the people this winter.

New Zealand retailers have assured customers their frozen berries are safe following a hepatitis scare with similar products in Australia.

Local apple production looks set to drop by 6 per cent this year because of a cool start to spring, but a warm summer has improved the crop's quality, says Pipfruit New Zealand.

A big spike in the cost of raw materials has put pressure on chocolate makers - as Cadbury was quick to point out when it announced plans this week to reduce block sizes by 10 per cent.

Chocolate company Whittaker's say they won't be following Cadbury and reducing the size of their bars.

Only 200 bottles of 'Big Mac in a bottle' are being produced

"Irradiated food is anything but fresh," writes Sue Kedgley. So why is the govt bending over backwards to bring more of it in, and remove labels that identify it?

"Potatoes, thank goodness! That's a good start," former Mythbusters host Grant Imahara says as he goes on to reveal the 13 other ingredients contained in the US version of the McDonald's fry.

Consumers have been stopped in their tracks after discovering nasty surprises such as sticking plasters, metal and pieces of glass in their food.

Food poisoning, rates issues, flooding and Dirty Politics have been listed as some of the biggest PR challenges of the past year.

Authorities in New Zealand have issued a warning about unpasteurised milk after the death of an Australian child.

Auckland commuters stuck in motorway traffic might spare a thought for meatworkers who travel more than 17,000km to work in Iceland each year.

New Zealand primary producers need to be prepared to do things differently in a rapidly changing world if they are to retain their place in global food markets, says KPMG.

Our Food, Your Questions: McDonald's has given the Herald an exclusive look at the questions being asked by consumers here.

This product is one of those foods you stare at on the supermarket shelf and wonder why it is there.