'Hot cross buns won't get motorists arrested'
A video showing a traffic officer taking a breathalyzer test after eating a hot cross bun has been giving some citizens heartburn - but traffic officials say there is nothing to worry about.
"I would like to urge people not to panic and enjoy their hot cross buns."
In the video - the officer is seen taking a few bites of the hot cross bun.
He then blows into the breathalyzer and a reading of 0.21mg comes up on the screen.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation's Simon Zwane says it has to do with the yeast in the Easter treat.
"The person has just eaten the hot cross bun - the results are that ethanol is their mouth. For a reading to be valid - we are testing the ethanol sitting in your gut. That test is what is in the mouth - it's not what is sitting in your body. So it won't count as blood alcohol content," he said.
Zwane says there are several steps to confirm a motorist's blood alcohol content.
"Ordinarily what will happen is - that will be the first screening. Another screening will have to be done - 15 minutes later when the person has not eaten anything. If it still comes back positive - the person will then be taken to an eBAT centre. We are certain that the EBat will not pick up hot cross buns or 'vetkoeks' because the yeast in that is too low."
In a statement released on social media, Checkers management says they have been inundated with calls from residents demanding the recipe to specifically the hot cross buns in the video.
The retailer says residents are also asking to place bulk orders.
Management has confirmed that their traditional hot cross buns are alcohol-free.
