More public vigilance in reading expiry dates
THE Ministry of Health has advised consumers to be more vigilant in reading the expiry dates on products labels.
The advisory follows increased reports, by the Food and Drug Analyst Department of the Ministry of Health, that expired goods have been found on shelves of business places.
A statement issued by the Ministry, last week, said it noted that the department, through its inspectors, has been visiting various businesses to ensure that wholesalers and retailers are maintaining stocks which are within the manufacturers’ recommended dates for usage.
“Unfortunately, the inspectors are few and cannot be at every business place for every minute. For effective vigilance, the consumers must be a part of the system that will force shops, stores, supermarkets, pharmacies and other vendors to be fully compliant,” the Ministry said.
Trusting consumers have reported making purchases of expired goods on sale, including milk, sausages, medicines, baby foods and canned fruits.
The statement reminded that, although the department is mandated to remove and destroy all expired merchandise, it is only able to take further action against pharmacies but not other business places.
The Ministry said it is working with relevant authorities to ensure that other action can be taken, such as revocation of licences to operate businesses.
Once expiration dates have been exceeded, the quality of the product will deteriorate and medicines can become less effective with decreased efficacy and taste and nutritional value of food can be made unstable, the Ministry said.
It added that, in some instances, safety of the products also becomes important. For medicines like insulin, antibiotics, blood pressure medication, contraceptives and for products such as condoms and blood sugar sticks, which could be life threatening.
“The Ministry of Health is intensifying efforts at labels vigilance and we are asking the public to assist us. When you buy a product, look to see if an expiry date is present. Most product labels will have an expiry date. We are asking the public to ensure that products purchased have valid expiry dates,” the statement said.
It pointed out that food, medicine, beverages and cosmetic products are consumer items with expiration dates and proper labelling of them must include expiry dates.
The public is asked to report any case where retailers and wholesalers are selling expired goods and reject them when it comes to their notice.
“Business places will take notice that people are not buying such products and will comply more effectively under such circumstances,” the Ministry said.