A Food safety compliance campaign in West Berbice held by the Environmental Health Department of Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and the Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department, found that there was a significant reduction in expired food products being offered for sale to the public when compared with results of previous raids. The campaign targeted wholesale and retail outlets, storage bonds, and supermarkets at Bush Lot, Hopetown, and Bath.
The goods examined included soft drinks, baby foods and snacks.
The Public Health Officials, however, discovered that a few storage bonds were storing food products under unsatisfactorily conditions, thereby allowing for infestation by insects.
Such products were destroyed and recommendations were made to proprietors on the rules and regulations, so as to improve the conditions under which food products are stored.
Notwithstanding this, an Official disclosed, it was discovered that a significant number of outlets had their products displayed under safe and hygienic conditions.
The Environmental Health Department had found that the Shop Smart Supermarket in Bush Lot, in particular,  had displayed very high standards under which food products were offered for sale, both in their customer area as well as their storage bond.
The department is of the view that this is a good example for other outlets to follow.
This exercise is expected to continue in other parts of Region 5.