In correspondence dated July 22 addressed to the General Administration of Customs (AGD), the General Secretariat of the Primature, reports that a dangerous situation of used cooking oil import, develops in the Northwest.

The Secretariat reported to have found that significant quantities of used cooking oil, which would be collected from restaurants in Bahamas Islands and probably in Florida, are imported in Haiti in recent years, in violation of phytosanitary rules governing the matter, stating "This product commonly named 'huile poule' is mainly used in frying to Port-de-Paix and surrounding areas."

It stresses that it is possible that this import situation is also developing in other provincial areas that have seaports, particularly those of Gonaïves, St. Marc, Cap Haitien, and Miragoâne.

Concluding "Given the enormous public health risks incurred by consumers, the General Secretariat would be grateful if the General Administration of Customs to please urgently conduct an investigation into this situation and take all appropriate measures in order to cope."

Following this correspondence, Victor H. St-Louis, Director General of AGD has sent a memorandum to all Directors and Officials of customs offices urging them "to systematic seize this product with enormous health risks to the population."

HL/ HaitiLibre