Latest update November 28th, 2024 3:00 AM
Aug 25, 2011 News
After discovering a large number of expired, damaged, unlabelled and unwholesome food items and recently seizing same, the Government Analyst – Food & Drug Department is issuing an urgent call to consumers to exercise alertness when purchasing articles of food at points of sale countrywide.
During the exercise some of the expired items that were seized were: Corcovado Refined Soya Bean Oil, Excellence Peanut Butter, Oilio Vegetable Oil, Romi Flower Vegetable Ghee and Country Barn Prepared Mustard.
Recently officers of the department carried out enforcement activities at major municipal markets in Georgetown (Stabroek, Bourda and La Penitence). Those campaigns were aimed at determining the level of unwholesomeness of food on the domestic market, as part of the department’s quest to ensure consumers’ protection and safety.
Inspection of the stalls also revealed serious health issues which include, inter alia lack of basic housekeeping and sanitation, improper storage of foods at recommended temperatures, evidence of pest infestation and improper labelling of foods.
According to the Government Analyst – Food & Drug Department, notices of violations were issued to defaulters. At one premises, officers observed a proprietor emptying 900ml oil from bottles with expiry dates of 2010, in 20 L bottles for the purpose of resale. These were seized and removed forthwith. Another proprietor was found tampering with expiration dates of the Country Barn Prepared Mustard.
The Food and Drug Department disclosed that consumers are asked to read labels carefully and examine all food products before making purchases to ensure that these foods are well labelled, sealed, properly packaged and not expired. This exercise will continue countrywide in collaboration with the Environmental Health Officers in the various regions.
“The department is calling on consumers at large to support the campaigns, as we strive to protect Public Health. Also the department is warning all proprietors that inspectors should be allowed access in accordance with section 21 (1) part a and b and section 21 (5) part b of the Food & Drugs Act chapter 34:03 of 1971 which states that any person who obstructs an inspector in the carrying out of his duties under this Act; is guilty of an offence…The department will seek law enforcement support where such access is denied.”
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