Thursday, 17 June 1999
RETAILERS ADVISED TO TAKE BELGIAN FOODS OFF SHELVES: ANZFA
The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) today advised food retailers to voluntarily withdraw a small number of Belgian foods that could be contaminated with dioxin from supermarket shelves until their safety can be guaranteed.
Managing Director, Mr Ian Lindenmayer, said ANZFA had taken this step as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of foods while further investigations are being carried out.
After extensive discussions with importers, overseas authorities, the States and Territories, and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) about specific food consignments, it is now believed that a small range of Belgian products could still be on Australian supermarket shelves.
Potentially affected imported products produced between 15 January 1999 and 2 June 1999 include biscuits, pastries, and sauces that may be high in animal fat. Belgian chocolates are not considered a public health concern and retailers will not be advised to withdraw these from supermarket shelves.
This move follows action taken last week (9/6) when Australian import controls on egg, poultry and pork products from Belgium, France and the Netherlands were widened to include high fat beef and high fat dairy products, which may have been contaminated with the chemical dioxin. Dioxin is known to concentrate in the fatty part of foods.
'We've been working closely with food importers and State and Territory health officials over the last nine days to assess which foods may have entered Australia from the affected countries,' Mr Lindenmayer said.
'While importers have been very cooperative, many have had difficulty gaining information from the Belgian authorities verifying that their produce is free from dioxin contamination.
'This process is taking longer than expected,' Mr Lindenmayer said. 'This is why ANZFA has now asked retailers to withdraw a limited number of Belgian products from the shelves as an interim measure.
'We need to ensure the safety of our food supply,' Mr Lindenmayer said. 'We're confident that food retailers will take appropriate action in their stores and hold products from sale until suppliers can confirm that each imported consignment is free of dioxin.'
Foods withdrawn temporarily from sale should be put back on the shelves only when they meet the following requirements. If products are found to be produced between 15 January and 2 June 1999, they must have either a test result stating that the foods are free of dioxin or be accompanied by a certificate issued by a relevant government authority clearing foods of dioxin contamination.
From 5 June 1999, AQIS has had in place a 'hold and test' regime at our border to prevent any potentially contaminated egg, poultry, beef, pork and dairy products from Belgium, France or the Netherlands from entering the country.
ANZFA is seeking further information from the governments of France and the Netherlands regarding possible dioxin contamination. Import restrictions will stay in place until further information is received to clear food products. It is not considered necessary at this stage to ask retailers to withdraw products from these countries from supermarket shelves.
'Consumers should be reassured that consumption of contaminated products over a short time is not likely to cause harmful effects. Harm to people may occur only after long term frequent exposure to high levels of dioxins,' Mr Lindenmayer said.
'Consumers should not be worried if they have recently eaten food made in Belgium.'
ANZFA is closely monitoring this food contamination situation and is in regular contact with authorities within the European Union.
ANZFA Website: www.foodstandards.gov.au