In continuing campaign…
THE Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department, in its continued quest to ensure consumers protection, has extended its ongoing campaign to rid the domestic market of expired and unwholesome food.
The campaign was recently taken to Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and where 22 and 21 inspections, respectively, were done.
A release said inspectors, in keeping with best manufacturing and hygienic requirements, assessed facilities where foods are manufactured, repackaged, stored and offered for sale, such as school canteens, supermarkets, shops, factories, storage bonds and retail outlets.
The release said they found that approximately 80 per cent of the places, where they were being sold, had significant quantities of expired foods, which were immediately seized, removed and, subsequently, destroyed.
It said among the confiscated merchandise were 32 bottles of oil, 73 bottles of sauces and condiments, 172 packets of drink mixes, 72 packets of jerk seasoning, 41 boxes of breakfast cereals and 11 tubs of margarine.
The brand names were Matouks, Milex, Betty Crocker, Kellogg’s and King Oil.
Some of the violations listed by the inspectors included lack of basic housekeeping and sanitation, improper storage of foods at recommended temperatures, evidence of pest infestation and improper labelling.
As a result, the inspectors gave on the spot educational talks on hygiene and general guidance for necessary corrective actions, the release said, adding that the campaign will shortly be carried out in Regions Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).