Full Breakdown
Trial of New Zealand Juice Seller Highlights Food Safety Enforcement and Religious Defiance
5/20/2026, 9:31:16 PM
Core Event: Trial Over Unregistered Fruit Juice Sales
A judge-alone trial began on Tuesday for Tatana, the sole owner of OFB, charged with selling raw fruit juice that MPI deemed unsafe. Prosecutors allege the product was sold without registration under the Food Act, and that MPI’s recall direction was ignored, prompting a court-ordered recall.
Background & Context: MPI Recall Powers and Registration Requirements
On 4 April 2024 MPI issued a Chief Executive Privileged Statement warning consumers about OFB juices. Deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the company’s lack of registration limited MPI’s ability to verify risk controls. MPI director of food risk management Jenny Bishop explained that recalls follow international best practice and can be invoked when a business lacks registration or compliance, allowing MPI to act even when risk is uncertain.
Timeline
- 4 April 2024 – MPI releases privileged statement and recall direction.
- Early 2025 – OFB website advertises “Pure 100 % NZ Grown Fruit Juices.”
- Tuesday (date unspecified) – Trial commences; opening testimony from Bishop.
- Subsequent days – Cross-examination of witnesses, including juice purchasers and MPI compliance officer.
- Conclusion – Judge Nepe reserves decision.
Official Statements & Responses
MPI stressed that recalls are based on risk assessments, not merely non-compliance, and that businesses must maintain recall procedures. Bishop noted the lack of registration justified a direct recall. The prosecution called two purchasers – a Wairoa food-truck owner and a Gisborne police custody officer – who confirmed they bought and sampled the juice without illness. Judge Nepe repeatedly interrupted Tatana’s questioning as irrelevant and warned that threatening witnesses violated court rules. Crown prosecutor Donnelly reported attempts to secure testimony from East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard, but found their relevance unclear.
Criticism & Opposition
Tatana framed the dispute as a clash between divine authority and state regulation, questioning MPI’s jurisdiction and asserting “God is my boss, not MPI.” She threatened a witness with a claim of “four times $36,000” and later demanded “four times $36,000” in compensation, citing a biblical principle. She also claimed the Crown was “null and void” and had no jurisdiction over New Zealand.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
MPI said it had received consumer complaints about OFB juice, yet Tatana asserted she had not seen any complaints and asked for copies, which the judge refused. No evidence of OFB registration was presented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Without that registration and oversight, they are unlikely to have the necessary controls in place,” — Jenny Bishop, MPI Director of Food Risk Management
- “You are not to threaten witnesses.” — Judge Nepe
- “God is my boss, not MPI.” — Tatana, Defendant
- “According to the Bible, you owe me four times what you stole.” — Tatana
What’s Next
Judge Nepe has reserved judgment, indicating a decision will be issued after further deliberation. The case may prompt additional MPI enforcement actions and could shape future regulatory scrutiny of unregistered food businesses.
