The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is urging the public to stay vigilant in picking up products during clearance sales during the Christmas Season.
The principal regulatory officer of the FDA in Central Region, Mrs. Naa Korkoi Ewudze notes that, though such sales are good news in this time of economic crises in the country, individuals must be extra vigilant on their consumables to safeguard their health.
Speaking to ATLFMNEWS, she explained that it is important for individuals to check on factors such as expiry dates, and dented canned products among others before purchasing any of such products.
“When it comes to festive seasons like this, FDA is aware of increased activity. I mean, this is a time when everybody wants to cash in. A lot of cooking, a lot of manufacturing, even locally. Sometimes when you go around, we find that there are a lot of reduced to clear sales. You might look at it and then the expiry date is not yet up to, it’s almost near. So by law, the retailer has not done anything wrong by selling the product. But you as a consumer will have to be cautious.
Yes, we are in difficult times but we have to be careful so we do not end up in the hospital and pay huge sums of money to get treated. Check for dented canned products, expired and bloated products, and unsealed products, especially on consumables. Sometimes you may find the expiry date has been handwritten. Please do not buy such products.” She emphasized.
Mrs. Naa Korkoi Ewudze also said the FDA is taking practical steps in ensuring products on the markets are safe for the public during the yuletide.
“At our imports and exports control department, we intensify activities at the borders. We have all our offices checking the goods that are coming in. And then here, when it comes into the country, we also have officers who go out there and do market surveillance…We’ve been all over these places, checking the products in the shop, on the shelves, checking if the expiry date and the condition of the product are okay.” She said.
She added that public education at the lorry stations, markets, and shops has also been intensified to safeguard the health of consumers in the country.
Mrs. Naa Korkoi Ewudze said it is their hope that, all Ghanaians remain in good health to return to work after the holidays.
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Source: Aba Aikins Appah/ATLFMNEWS
