Bolgatanga, Dec 20, GNA- The Northern Zonal Food and Drugs Board on Saturday destroyed expired and unwholesome goods worth one hundred and fifty million cedis.
The destroyed items which were mainly made up of drugs and foods, ranges from assorted biscuits, canned drinks, non alcoholic beverages, canned food and some expired drugs were destroyed at a waste disposal area at Sherigu, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. Speaking to the press at the destruction site, the Northern Zonal Officer of the Food and Drug Board, (FDB) Mr Agampim Solomon explained that the consumption of such goods by the general public would have serious health implication on them.
He cautioned Ghanaians to be extra vigilant on the goods they buy as they go shopping, especially during this Christmas and New Year Festivities.
Mr. Agampim further admonished Retailers that it was their duty to ensure that their stalls were not stocked with expired and unwholesome goods, stressing that it was an offence, punishable by section nine of PNDCL 305b to sell unwholesome or expired goods to the general public.
He indicated that a lot of unregistered and unwholesome food items were being brought into the northern zone through the neighbouring countries such Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. The Northern Zonal Officer explained that the Customs and Preventive Services were helping to stop such illegal entries and urged them to put in more effort to stop it.
Mr Agampim pointed out that his outfit was effectively collaborating with the Environmental Units of the various assemblies in the regions on how best they could regulate the businesses of chop bar operators and street vendors.
He called on other stakeholders such as the Media, Consumer Protection Associations, the Ghana Tourist Board, the Police, the EPA and others to collaborate with the FDB in its activities.
The Chairman of the Upper East Consumer Right Protection Association, (CRPA) Mr Alagskoma Noble said the association as from next year would intensify its sensitisation activities on the general public on how to identify expired and unwholesome goods and their harmful effects on them, adding that CRPA would also be formed in schools to fight for the consumer rights.
Source: GhanaWeb
