Packaging fault leads to cheese shortage

A fault in the packing machine happened last week that prevented the production of retail packs.

‘A specialist engineer from the equipment supplier would normally be responsible for fixing the equipment and carrying out subsequent testing after such a fault,’ said a Guernsey Dairy spokesperson.

‘However due to the current Covid-19 travel restrictions, the Dairy’s own maintenance staff have managed to carry out the repairs.

‘A number of test packs have been prepared, which will be monitored over the next few days to ensure the integrity of the seals remain intact. If successful, normal production is expected to resume next week.’

The Dairy has also been asked on social media about where butter was being packed.

It confirmed that all standard 250g butter packs are dealt with at the Dairy, but smaller catering portions (7g) are sent to Wales because they require specialist packing equipment.

That amounts to around 5,000kg of butter four times a year.

Last year, the States Trading Supervisory Board published a report on the future of the Dairy saying that up to £25m. was needed to safeguard production with either a full refurbishment at its current St Andrew’s site or a new building.

The Dairy was budgeted to lose £505,000 last year.