WOOLWORTHS


In response to the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics & Disinfectants Amendment Bill we would like to comment on the following:


Section 15, (d), subsection (8): Any medical practitioner, environmental health practitioner or veterinarian who has reasonable grounds to suspect that any foodstuff is unsound or unwholesome or that an animal
is diseased may seize, detain or destroy such unsound or unwholesome foodstuff or diseased animal.


Comments:

1. The aforementioned persons, namely medical practitioners or veterinarians should not be allowed to seize, detain or destroy a foodstuff as they do not have the skills or qualifications to identify when a foodstuff is unsound. A food scientist or microbiologist is more
appropriately qualified to suspect that a foodstuff is unsound.


2. Any foodstuff suspected of being unsound or unwholesome should not be
destroyed without evidence to support such suspicions. A product suspected to be unsound should, where necessary, undergo relevant analysis to confirm the suspicion prior to destruction.


We trust that these comments and input will be considered favourably.


Regards,


Karin Carstensen

Central Technology

Woolworths