CUSTOMERS are returning cheese after problems with the packaging equipment meant it has been going mouldy.

Guernsey Dairy has been having trouble with both its cheese and organic milk production in recent weeks.

It was found that weak seals on the back of some mild cheese packaging had led to problems.

‘This has caused a slow leak of the nitrogen/CO2 mix in the packaging, which is used to preserve the cheese and extend its shelf life,’ said Guernsey Dairy managing director Andrew Tabel.

‘Not all packs were affected. However, as the leak occurred several days after it was packed, it was decided to withdraw the remaining stock from sale as a precautionary measure.’

So far just some 30 packs have been returned of the 1,620 distributed over the period there were issues.

It is hoped the problem has now been fixed.

‘The settings on our equipment have been adjusted and a trial run will take place in the coming days, with rigorous checks being carried out prior to release.’

Mt Tabel added that trade customers had been asked to return any faulty packs, at which point replacements or a refund would be issued.

He said that, as regards the problems with organic milk, because of the age of equipment and issues with availability, a direct replacement for the affected thermograph – which measures temperatures – could not be found.

Mr Tabel said that engineers had therefore fitted a similar thermograph and were in the process of programming it.

‘A trial run will take place in the next few days and, if successful, organic milk will be back on sale soon after.’

He said that trade account holders had received regular updates during the period that organic milk had not been available, adding that there had been no loss of product.

Milk retailers told the Guernsey Press that they had not been badly affected by the dairy’s issues.

Ian Wood said a few customers had problems with their cheese going off, but it had not been a problem to replace it or offer them a refund. He said the problem with the cheese had started a few weeks ago, but he understood it was now fixed.

He said that organic milk had been a longer term problem, which started about four weeks ago, but as there was only a small run of the product it had not caused a problem.

Many shoppers may not have noticed there was a cheese issue, with Mr Wood saying the product has a three-month shelf life and in his case he never ran out of it.

Patrick Kilroy-Doyle, who supplies the Forest Stores, said he always stocked up on product in case there was ever a shortage, and as a result he had not been adversely affected on this occasion.

‘Apart from having no organic milk it’s been business as usual really,’ he said.

‘We’ve been kept up to date with what’s been going on. I have a stock of cheese to last a few weeks anyway but from what I understand everything should be back to normal soon.’

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