Destroyed alcohol costly reminder for importer

The seizure and destruction of more than two tonnes of non-compliant alcohol by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is a timely reminder for importers and retailers to meet labelling requirements.

The alcohol was seized during a recent MAF inspection of Auckland retail liquor outlets, because it had been imported with the batch codes (the unique alpha-numeric code manufacturers use to track a batch of products) deliberately removed or destroyed.

The seized product had an approximate retail value of $40,000.

The labelling of food and alcohol is covered by both the Food Act 1981 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which contains rules requiring products to contain lot identification.

"Batch codes are crucial to conducting a recall if a product is found to be faulty, dangerous or not fit for human consumption," MAF investigator John Gibson explains. "Without lot identification it's impossible to conduct a recall, so we take the removal of labels very seriously."

"Our labelling legislation is intended to protect people by vouching for the integrity of the product they are being served. No consumer should be put at risk by businesses flouting the law."

"Our labelling legislation is intended to protect people by vouching for the integrity of the product they are being served. No consumer should be put at risk by businesses flouting the law."

Any retailer who is offered product with suspect looking labels should contact MAF.

Issued by:

Miriam Meister, Senior, Communications Adviser
Telephone: 04-894 2466 or 029-894 2466, Email: miriam.meister@maf.govt.nz
Or call the MAF Media phoneline: 029 894 0328.