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Residents in the Ashanti Region have been cautioned to be wary of the products they purchase on market this festive season
Often during the Christmas festivities, lots of products find their way to the market. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has thus warned all buyers to be vigilant of the products they buy, taking into keen notice the expiry dates, as well as repackaged products.
Speaking on the Ten2One show on Asaase Radio 98.5 with Naa Klordey Fritzal Abban, the principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, Anita Owusu-Kuffour warned buyers to “be on the lookout, because different facilities will have different products being offered for sale, so you cannot single out one particular brand.
“When you are buying products, if it is can, you have to make sure that it is not dented or bloated, it is very important, even if it is reduced to clear, there is a safety issue and you shouldn’t be buying it, this is because the cans have been coated and the chemicals when they hit on the floor is exposed, so it ends up mixing up with the food and that presents a food safety issue.”
She also advised buyers not to purchase orphan products. Orphan products according to her are products that have no manufacturing details.
She emphasized that “if the product is good enough, the owner will claim it, so products with no manufacturer’s address, no form of contact, they are termed as orphaned, so if you buy them there is any issue, it will be difficult to trace to the importer or manufacturer to address the issues”.
Owusu-Kuffour further asked buyers to avoid purchasing repackaged goods.
“Some people will buy the bulk of the product and downsize them, or repackage them into smaller sizes, and it will not have the original label on it, it will not have the information you need, as to the date markings, the storage conditions, so it should be in the original packaging.”
She further reminded buyers to also “check the ‘expiration’, the ‘best before’, the ‘use by’ dates to make sure that you can consume it within the dates that are stated.
Owusu-Kuffour encouraged residents to provide information on wholesalers or retailers who will sell unwholesome food products to unsuspecting buyers this festive season. This she said will collectively ensure that the unwholesome products are eradicated from the markets this festive season.
“You have to be on the lookout because different facilities will have different products being offered for sale, so you cannot single out one particular brand.”
She urged the public to also provide information on unwholesome products on market to the FDA.
Source: Asaase Radio
