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posted on October 14, 2010

Wal-Mart talk raises food safety supply concern

Published: 13.oct.10
Source: Business Report

Ecowise, a hygiene and sanitation company servicing the food sector, said there had been increased speculation that as part of its aggressive pricing techniques Wal-Mart would make use of its global food importing network to import cheaper food products into South Africa, rather than source from local producers.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, managing director of Ecowize, said there had been growing international concern regarding the safety of imported food products.

"As the distance that food has to travel to reach the end-consumer lengthens and the number of stakeholders in the supply chain increases, the risk of contamination multiplies exponentially," said Lloyd-Jones.

Research published in Food Review in September and October, by Chris Griffiths, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Wales, warned that any producer whose product had a shelf life of longer than five days should consider the risks associated with the bacteria, such as the prevalence of Listeria. "We live in the age of having global food supplies and so global pathogens and it would be unlikely if South Africa was not affected," said Griffiths.

Lloyd-Jones said that there have been multiple studies conducted internationally that raise serious concerns about the safety of the imported food supply chain, particularly as a relatively small amount of this produce can be monitored and it has become increasingly difficult for governments and other regulatory bodies to manage the food import supply chain effectively.

However, he added, that food safety standards in South Africa are among the most developed and hygienic in the world.

"South African food producers are required to show total compliance to legislation and retailer requirements through the maintenance of an International Organisation for Standardisation and other rating bodies, as well as being required to pass regular inspections from the department of agriculture," he said.

Lloyd-Jones believes that importers should be subjected to the same set of stringent regulations that the local supply chain does.

Ecowize believes that the risks of food contamination are very real.

"If we want the government to get serious on inspecting imported food, the taxpayer will ultimately pick up the cost. Consumers need to bare this in mind and make an informed decision when purchasing imported food products," the group said. - I-Net Bridge

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