By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, May 30, GNA – Mr Abel Ndego, the interim Chief of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Upper East Region, has warned supermarket operators and store proprietors about selling damaged goods within the region.
He stated that the FDA wouldn’t flex on regulations or lower standards concerning public health and safety. Instead, they would ensure that all items available in supermarkets, stores, and shopping centers throughout the region remained safe for consumers.
A “dented product” refers to an item, often in retail, that has sustained some damage, particularly a small indentation or depression, resulting from shipping or handling. This damage is usually cosmetic and doesn’t affect the product’s functionality, but it often leads to a reduced price.
Mr. Ndego stated, “We won’t allow the sale of any damaged goods.”
Mr Ndego’s caution was in response to questions by shop operators during a training programme on good storage and distribution practices in the Upper East Region.
The initiative organized by the FDA provided an occasion for officials to educate participants hailing from all 15 municipalities and districts within the region about section seven of the Public Health Act 2012; Act 851, along with proper storage and distribution procedures.
Mr Ndego explained that manufacturers of products, especially canned products galvanized the inner metals of their containers to prevent direct contact with the products, which could pose health risks to members of the public if the continuity of the galvanized seal was broken.
For instance, when using canned tomato paste, he explained, "A dent disrupts the integrity of the seal, causing direct contact between the tomato paste and the can’s interior. This interaction introduces hazardous chemicals into the product, making it unsafe for humans to consume."
"This rule applies to all canned goods, be they condensed or liquid milk, canned fish, or any other type of canned product," he stated.
When asked by an operator whether they could retain expired items and present these to businesses and suppliers as proof before disposing of them, Mr. Ndego responded, "No one is permitted to discard any regulated goods without the explicit and stringent oversight of the FDA."
He pointed out that the FDA couldn’t afford to leave unhealthy, controlled items in the hands of store owners, so they served a detention order; a paperwork detailing every product’s particulars along with the reasons behind the hold.
"We provide you with the original document, while retaining a copy. This serves as proof that the FDA has confiscated these goods from you for specific reasons. Therefore, should the company or supplier inquire, present the detention notification to demonstrate that you did not sell the items; they were seized by the FDA," he explained.
Ms. Joyce Agana, Principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, who took participants through good storage and distribution practices, observed that some shop operators combined products meant to be frozen and those to be refrigerated in one refrigerator under the same temperature, instead of separating them for proper storage.
She said some products for distribution, especially locally made yoghurt products which should be stored under cold chain, were not, and as a result, the products fermented, and admonished the operators to ensure such products were transported in coolers with ice cubes.
Ms. Agana additionally cautioned the attendees about the unsanitary environments in certain stores and encouraged shop owners to adhere rigorously to appropriate cleanliness standards for everyone’s protection.
Several individuals who spoke with the Ghana News Agency following the program acknowledged their lack of awareness regarding certain laws and regulations governing the Food and Drug Administration as well as the specified safety measures.
The management of the Authority was praised for organizing the training sessions, and they requested additional programs. These extra initiatives were deemed necessary to continually remind all stakeholders of their responsibility in maintaining public safety.
GNA
Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga / Benjamin Mensah
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