In the wake of the melamine contaminated milk crisis in China last year, the Department of State for Health & Social Welfare has  banned the importation of milk and milk related products coming from China until further notice.

A press release from the Department of State for Health & Social Welfare (DoSH) indicated that ban was followed by a two-week joint inspection exercise of food outlets in Banjul and the Greater Banjul Area by relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the Food Act 2005, with a view to removing such products from the food distribution system. The release further indicated that the health authorities at the seaport in collaboration with the relevant departments recently rejected a container of milk which was imported from China through Senegal. “The container is detained and is currently awaiting re-shipment to Senegal or a third country in the sub-region,” DoSH stated.

The state department further assured the general public that stringent measures are being taken nationwide, to ensure that foods intended for consumption in the country are of the nature, quality and standard conducive to people’s welfare. Importers, distributors and retailers of milk and milk related products from China, according to DoSH, are warned to desist from the importation of such products into the country. “Any person who fails to comply with this directive, commits an offence and is liable to conviction in accordance with Section 36(3) of the Food Act 2005,” the release cited.

The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare advised consumers to be more vigilant and to look out for such products coming from China. “Information about the presence of such products anywhere in the country should be reported to the nearest health, customs and veterinary authorities,” it added.

DoSH further urged the Regional Health Management Teams in the country in collaboration with the Customs, the police, veterinary and sanitary and phyto-sanitary officers, to be more vigilant in order to prevent the re-exportation of the rejected Chinese milk products through the porous borders into the country.