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600 boxes of noodles confiscated
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Posted on May 15 2000
The Department of Lands and Natural Resources is warning local wholesalers against the importation of undocumented food products following a food and mouth disease alert it has issued two months ago in light of the recent outbreak in South Korea and Japan.
The confiscation of some 600 boxes of instant beef noodles from Korea last May 10 has prompted DLNR to issue another alert, especially on imports containing beef by products.
According to DLNR Spokesperson Marian Concepcion-Teregeyo, the local wholesaler failed to present to the Division of Quarantine proper documents that the beef inside the noodles is safe for consumption.
“Because the epidemic has not be closed yet, the Director of US Dept. of Agriculture in Guam is still advising us to be on alert of any beef by products that come from those two countries,” said Ms. Teregeyo.
The cargo, all 600 boxes of it, would have to be sent back to Korea at the soonest possible time, according to DLNR.
The consignee is only given 10 days to get rid of the cargo, she added. The wholesaler has an option to put it on incinerator or send it back to its point of origin.
Having 600 boxes of noodles incinerated at 79 cents per pound is quite costly compared to having the whole cargo shipped back to Korea, DLNR advised.
At the risk of letting loose potential viruses inside the beef noodles, DLNR does not permit the ordinary disposal of the confiscated products.
“The cargo has been sealed and now it is against the law to open it,” Ms. Teregeyo said.
DLNR confiscates a large number of imported noodles from local wholesalers on a regular basis.
“But they continue to try the patience of those guys at Quarantine. And they mean business,” said Ms. Teregeyo.
She appealed to importers to ensure that they have all the proper documents for their imports to avoid unnecessary expenses for sending back their cargoes to the point of origin.
Importers are also urged to secure a veterinarian certificate declaring that the products imported are safe for consumption.
“It has to say that the beef product has been checked and is okay for export,” said Ms. Teregeyo. (MM)
