THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department has reminded consumers to be vigilant when making purchases of food items at points of sale countrywide. The agency issued the reminder having observed  expired foodstuff being sold at supermarkets, grocery shops and municipal markets across the country.
It said, during the Christmas season and even this year, several places have had expired goods on sale and, after they were returned, purchasers, having made the purchase in a rush, were given refunds and, subsequently, the merchandise was taken off the shelves.
The Analyst cautioned consumers to exercise alertness and read labels carefully and examine all items before buying to ensure that the foods are well labelled, sealed, properly packaged and not expired.
A release said reports have reached the Department that unscrupulous business persons are offering expired and other defective articles of food for sale in supermarkets, grocery shops and municipal markets in various parts of the country.
“In addition, these articles are being sold in premises and under conditions that do not comply with basic sanitary, storage requirements. Such conditions include lack of basic housekeeping and sanitation, evidence of pest infestation, improper storage of foods at recommended temperatures and improper labelling of foods,” the release said.
It added that consumption of foods that are deemed unwholesome could result in serious health issues and operators of wholesale and retail outlets are reminded of their obligations under the Food & Drugs Act and the regulations.
“Failure to comply with legal provisions could result in seizure of the defective articles and the defaulter being prosecuted, fined and/or imprisoned,” the agency warned.
It said food inspectors countrywide continue to be on the alert for defective articles and welcome any such information from vigilant consumers.
The Department can be contacted at telephone numbers 222-8857 and 222-8859 – 60.
Senior Food Inspector Stacey Alves told the Guyana Chronicle that the Department has personnel in communities visiting eating houses and snackettes to make sure customers get wholesome foods.
She said, once expired goods and food items are found in shops, they will be removed and seized and those businesses could also face prosecution.
Ms. Alves stated that, in 2011, they received several complaints and, when they do, those are  acted upon but, usually, they have exercises across the country in which visits and inspections are carried out on all grocery shops, supermarkets and other places of sales.