Queensland company fined for breaching import requirements

A Queensland food importer has been fined for failing to undertake required testing. B&E Packaging imported 1500 kg of cooked and peeled prawns from Vietnam but released the prawns without the correct inspection, testing and authorisation process being conducted.

Company director Xu Chun Dong appeared before the Southport Magistrates Court in Brisbane and was charged with one count of breaching section 9(1A) of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 - offences relating to dealing with examinable food. The company was fined $7500 and ordered to pay court costs.

Colin Hunter, the Department of Agriculture’s First Assistant Secretary for Border Compliance, says importers are responsible for ensuring that all food imported into Australia complies with standards set out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Hunter stressed the importance of all imported food meeting stringent food standards and importation requirements.

“Importers must comply with government requirements for the testing and inspection of food. Blatant or deliberate disregard of Australia’s food safety and importing requirements will not be tolerated,” Hunter said.

“Where necessary, regulatory requirements will be enforced and may result in matters being referred to the Court.”

More information on requirements for importing food into Australia is available from www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import/food.