Auckland liquor importer Golden Grand Trading Limited and distributor Mayajaal Holdings Limited have been fined $244,000 for attempting to sell thousands of bottles of illegal liquor and avoiding the rules to protect consumers.
The companies were investigated following allegations of supplying illegal liquor to retailers between 2016 and 2019. Both companies were found to be in possession of or selling non-compliant alcohol, including some 5534 bottles of imported liquor that either had no lot codes or were stickered with fakes.
The liquor had an estimated retail value of $292,526. Compliance investigators seized the alcohol from their distribution warehouse and recalled 30 bottles, seven from a liquor store and two from an online purchase.
NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle explained that lot codes are unique and either laser-etched into the bottle or printed on the label to ensure traceability during a product recall.
He said that when businesses try to circumvent the rules, they are at best deceiving consumers and at worst putting them at risk. In this case, the importer and distributor attempted to avoid the rules to save money by buying thousands of liquor bottles with lot codes removed and that it was cheaper – by nearly 7.5%.
The sentence is part of the wider Ministry for Primary Industries compliance investigation, Operation Spirit. In 2022, another Auckland liquor importing company was fined over $150,000 for importing thousands of liquor bottles with lot codes removed or tampered with.
In August 2023, NZFS strengthened the requirements for all New Zealand food importers, clarifying the role and responsibilities of food importers when they bring food into New Zealand to ensure that the food is safe and suitable for Kiwi consumers.
