The country is considering a ban on the sale of surf detergen products after a number of cases of meningitis have been linked to them, prompting the government to look at a ban.
A number of surf products are available at supermarkets in New Zealand, including Surf-Off, Surf-X, SurfX2, Surf X3, Surf Max and Surf X4.
A ban on surf products would make them more expensive for shoppers, and would make it harder for people to afford them, Health Minister David Parker said.
The country’s government is considering introducing a ban in the future, he said.
“If it’s the only product on the market, then we’ll continue to be cautious, but if the only thing available is a surf product, then I’m open to looking at banning it,” Mr Parker said on Wednesday.
The Government has been in talks with manufacturers and distributors about a ban, and has also spoken with health authorities.
“We’ll look at other options, but it is the only surf product on sale, and it’s also a good product,” Mr Park said.
In an interview with the ABC last month, Mr Parker was asked about the potential for the Government to consider a ban and the Government’s role in developing a national strategy to tackle the problem.
He said he would like to see a plan put in place by a government that is able to implement it.
“What we’re looking at is making sure that there is a strategy that works for the country, for the population, that is supported by the Government, and also supports the industry,” he said at the time.
“There are a lot of opportunities here.”
He said the Government would also like to work with the industry to develop a national plan.
“We’ve got a lot to gain from the industry as we’ve got the right people on board, and we’ve been able to develop an industry-wide strategy,” he told the ABC.
“But it’s not just about us.
The whole community has got to work together, and that’s the way we’ve done it for the last 20 years.”
Mr Parker said the plan to introduce a national policy would be developed by the government, but that there was no timeline yet for the plan.
Mr Parker added the Government was not going to impose a surcharge on people buying products from the online retailer, but he said there was a risk that consumers could end up paying more for the product.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be the case, but we’re not going for it,” he says.
A surf detergency manufacturer has been fined $200 for supplying misleading information about their products.