The objective of the food safety system is to provide safe and suitable food in New Zealand(1). This is of particular importance for our youngest members– infants and young children. During the first 2000 days of life, food and nutrition have crucial roles. Nutrient requirements are high, and children often have an increased vulnerability to hazards associated with chemical and microbiological contamination. Foods targeted to this age group typically have strict regulations, as the quality and safety of foods for infants and young children is of great concern to caregivers, public health authorities and regulatory bodies worldwide. The recent First Foods New Zealand Study (FFNZ) and Young Foods New Zealand (YFNZ) Study have provided important data into what, and how, we feed our infants and young children under four years of age(2). Insights from the dietary intakes and health of 925 infants and young children from these studies are being used by NZFS to inform its work on food monitoring surveillance and food policy. Currently New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is conducting the 2024 New Zealand Total Diet Study (NZTDS) (Infants and Toddlers)(3). The NZTDS is a food monitoring and surveillance programme which aims to evaluate the risk to New Zealanders from exposure to certain chemicals such as agricultural chemicals, contaminants (including from food packaging), and nutrients. The 2024 NZTDS will, for the first time, focus exclusively on infants and young children. The FFNZ and YFNZ studies informed the selection of 117 foods to be tested from four New Zealand regions throughout 2024/2025. The dietary intake data will then be used to estimate the dietary exposure to each of the 362 chemicals analysed. This monitoring programme informs policy decision-making and food standard setting and provides assurance on the safety of our food supply. Concerns around the nutrient quality and labelling of some commercial products for infants and young children have been identified in Australia and New Zealand. Within the joint food regulatory system, consultation is underway to consider regulatory and non-regulatory options for improving commercial foods for infants and young children(4). This presentation will discuss NZFS’s role in monitoring foods and diets of infants and young children in Aotearoa New Zealand, the importance of, and application of evidence to inform policy, food safety, and potential regulatory and non-regulatory options to ensure that the food safety system continues to deliver safe and suitable food in New Zealand.