WARRINGTON Borough Council’s Public Protection Team has removed 37 litres of illegally imported Indian ghee from sale during an inspection at a business premises in the town.
The seizure is the fourth occasion in the past 12 months that the council has taken enforcement action against the sale of prohibited dairy products.
The products seized during the inspection were labelled for sale in India only. Ghee, a type of clarified butter, is classified as a dairy product and is therefore subject to strict import controls.
Dairy products manufactured in India are prohibited from being imported into the UK because India does not have an approved milk residue monitoring programme in place for exports. As a result, the importation and sale of these products may pose a risk to public health.
The products were removed from sale immediately by officers from the council’s Public Protection Team.
Cllr John Kerr-Brown, cabinet member for environment, housing and public protection, said: “Food safety remains a priority for the council, and we will continue to take action where prohibited products are found on sale.
“Businesses must ensure that all food products offered for sale comply with UK import requirements. We encourage traders who are unsure about the legality of products they stock to seek advice from our Public Protection Team.
“Our officers work closely with local businesses to support compliance, but where products that may pose a risk to public health are identified, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.”
The council is urging all food businesses in the borough to review their stock immediately and remove any prohibited dairy products from sale.
Businesses with concerns about products they currently hold, or who are uncertain about the legality of imported goods, are encouraged to contact the Public Protection Team for advice.
The council’s Public Protection Team continues to undertake inspections and enforcement activity to help ensure food sold within the borough complies with UK food safety and import regulations, protecting consumers and supporting responsible local businesses.
*Warrington Worldwide has sought clarification from the council on the identity of the business.
