The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned traders and consumers against the washing, repackaging and resale of food and beverages damaged by the recent floods.
The Authority says it has received complaints about flood-affected products being cleaned and prepared for sale to unsuspecting consumers.
In one case, the FDA’s investigations uncovered approximately one truckload of bottled water and soft drinks at a residence in Bubiashie. The products, which had reportedly been moved from a flooded shop at Alajo, were found with mud covering the packs and bottles.
The FDA subsequently seized the products for safe disposal.
The Authority said investigations also established that the Ghana Police Service at Kaneshie had received a similar complaint and arrested the owner, who has since been granted bail. A similar quantity of the affected products was also seized.
The FDA cautioned that floodwater can carry sewage, refuse and other contaminants, warning that simply washing the exterior of bottles or shrink-wrapped packs does not make their contents safe for consumption.
According to the Authority, consuming such products could expose people to water-borne diseases including cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery.
Consumers have therefore been advised to avoid food and beverages showing mud stains, watermarks or signs of damage on their packs, bottles, caps or labels. They have also been urged to be cautious of products sold from unusual locations or hawked in bulk without a clear source.
The FDA further directed manufacturers, distributors and retailers whose stock has been affected by floodwater not to wash, repack, relabel or resell the products.
Instead, such products should be quarantined and the nearest FDA office notified for verification and safe disposal.
The Authority warned that failure to comply constitutes an offence and could attract sanctions under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The FDA says it will continue surveillance and enforcement operations in flood-affected areas and has encouraged members of the public to report suspected sales of flood-damaged food and beverages to the nearest FDA office or police station.
By: Bernard Mensah
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