Gareth Lloyd-Jones, MD of Ecowise, a hygiene and sanitation company servicing the food sector, voiced his concern over food safety risks owing to Walmart importing food products.
With recent comments from Zwelinzima Vavi, Cosatu general secretary, about Walmart’s entry into SA potentially ‘paralysing’ local manufacturing by importing cheaper stock from other emerging nations, Ecowize added to the debate, by highlighting the potential safety concerns of importing food products from far off destinations.
Lloyd-Jones says, 'Importing large amounts of food products into SA’s supply chain could potentially compromise the high levels of food safety that our local industry and consumers currently enjoy.'
He adds, 'It has become increasingly difficult for governments and other regulatory bodies to manage the food import supply chain effectively. When imported food is arriving at multiple points of entry, and often from developing countries with little legislation governing food safety, then the risk to consumers is exacerbated.'
'Consumers need to bear this in mind and make an informed decision when purchasing imported food products,' says Lloyd-Jones.
