A kangaroo processing business in Charleville reopened its doors for business on Tuesday, after a closure that followed advice from Safe Food Queensland of an issue with food safety.
The advice was issued on June 8, according to SFQ general manager for compliance, strategy and response, Phil Pond, who said the product in question was unwholesome.
“We were in receipt of evidence presented to us,” he said. “It’s my understanding that they have remedied it.”
Mr Pond wouldn’t elaborate further on what the problem had been, except to say that the cooperation from the accredited licence holder had been impeccable.
The licence holder, also the owner of the business, requested not to be identified but confirmed to the Queensland Country Life that the suspension had been lifted and the leaseholder was operational again on June 13.
The processing works on the Old Cunnamulla Road is being leased by Barco Queensland, which is owned by Gold Coast-based pet food manufacturer, Millennium Pet Foods.
Barco’s general manager, Daniel McGettigan, was not answering his phone this week, and Murweh shire council mayor, Annie Liston was unable to throw any further light on the issue.
She said she had been trying to contact the manager as the council didn’t like to see any business close in the town.
We don't like to hear of any business closing, even if it is temporary, and the possible job losses that brings
- Murweh Shire Council mayor, Annie Liston
“We don’t want any job losses,” Cr Liston said. “We were trying to get in touch to see if there was anything we could do to help with compliance.”
Barco Queensland began processing roos for the pet food trade in March after signing a three-year lease.