An Irish Cheddar cheese consignment seized by the Durban Port Health authorities three months ago, will be re-exported to Ireland because health officials found it was not fit for human consumption.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health said yesterday that the container of Cheddar, which is contaminated with E coli, was being detained at a bond cold-store facility and could only leave South Africa once re-exportation documents had been finalised with the South African Revenue Services (Sars).
Microbiological tests were conducted on samples taken from the Cheddar consignment, which was being imported by a chain store.
E coli, also known as Escherichia coli, is a bacterium commonly found in the gut of endotherms (warm-blooded organisms).
Chris Maxon, the health department’s spokesman, said the chain store, the identity of which the department could not divulge, opted for the product to be sent back to its country of origin.
“It must be noted that all imported products are subjected to routine inspection, analysis and release to ensure the health safety of the citizens of South Africa,” he said.
Products found to be unfit for human consumption were either re-exported to their country of origin or surrendered to destruction at a reputable dumpsite under Port Health supervision, depending on the decision of the importer.
“The total cost for destruction or re-exporting is borne by the importer,” he said.
Maxon said the importer had to pay all tariff amounts to the taxman for the product to leave the country.
“Re-exporting of commodities is under strict supervision of Sars,” he said.
Milk Producers’ Organisation chief executive Bertus de Jongh said local cheese manufacturers have complained about the product being imported into the country, saying that it was crippling the South African cheese market.
“A kilo of this cheese is about R30. It is much cheaper, and that is why it is killing our local market,” De Jongh said.
In a newsletter, he said the cheese saga followed several low-priced Cheddar imports from Ireland.
The organisation’s manager for market protection and development, Barbara Bieldt, said the Milk Producers’ Organisation regarded the matter in a serious light and had requested authorities not to allow Irish dairy imports to enter the country before its safety was confirmed.
- Daily News