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Photo: RNZ
The big supermarket chains will soon face fines of up to $3 million dollars, if they don't treat small suppliers fairly.
The Government has released the details of its new Grocery Code of Conduct, its latest step to reform the grocery sector.
Food price inflation is at its highest level in 36 years - with the main drivers a 14 percent rise in grocery prices, and more than 22 percent for fruit and vegetables prices.
The Grocery code requires the two companies that run most of the supermarkets to pay their suppliers on time, have contracts in plain English, and deal with small suppliers in good faith.
Breaches of the code could cost the supermarket companies up to $3 million, and individuals up to $200,000.
Pierre van Heerden is the newly appointed Grocery Commissioner, charged with monitoring the code and keeping the supermarket chains in check.