DAFF seizes 1.5 tonnes of illegal food imports

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced its DAFF Biosecurity officers have seized more than one and a half tonnes of prohibited food imports in the latest biosecurity operation.

A consignment of packaged food from Thailand contained 142 kg of kaffir lime leaves, 817 kg of sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaf and 615 kg of frozen sator, a type of fragrant bean.

Plant items such as these can present a risk to Australia’s biosecurity and importers should ensure that imported goods meet Australia’s import conditions before proceeding to import them, said Tim Chapman, First Assistant Secretary for DAFF Quarantine Operations.

“Undeclared food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce pests and diseases into Australia, and have a serious impact on our valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment.”

Chapman said the importer failed to declare the goods and the kaffir lime leaves were infected with citrus canker. Although citrus canker could pose a threat to Australian citrus, Chapman said the risk from the seized goods is very low as they were only to be sold through retail outlets for consumer use in cooking.

However, DAFF’s investigations revealed a previous undeclared consignment of kaffir lime leaves had already entered the country. Almost 15 kg of this consignment was recovered from 23 retail outlets in Victoria.

“Both importations are being investigated and if there is sufficient evidence they will be referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution,” Chapman said. “Importers who fail to comply with Australia’s biosecurity laws face fines up to $1.1 million and possible imprisonment.”