THE New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council (N/A M &TC) – Environmental Health Department is on a mission to ensure that citizens within the municipality have access to quality goods and commodities, by ensuring that business places stock edible items that are wholesome for human consumption.

The Environmental Health Department is conducting routine inspections at food shops, groceries and supermarkets as there is a prevalence in the discovery of expired and tampered products.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Municipal Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh said that his Department is working to rid shelves of unwholesome goods but, the trend among many business entities continues to blossom.
“I am appalled at the callous behaviour of some businessmen in the township and, I want to think that many of them do not have respect for the laws (Ch. 16:01) ….. if they had any regards for the consuming public, they would cease such practices,” he asserted.
Ramsudh said that the officers within his Department have had reasons to revisit particular outlets and, seize several expired goods and products on display with tampered labels.
“In this age, one would have thought that entrepreneurs would respect the poor and average man, who support their businesses, by showing some sort of compassion by doing bargain sales on products, prior to their expiry,” he alluded.
This publication was shown several products including: nut butter, canned milk, biscuits, jam, mayonnaise and, confectionery; that were confiscated from entities across the township, where evidence of expiry were visible.
The Municipal Health Inspector said that this ‘barefaced’ conduct of food dealers will be minimised greatly this year, but the public also needs to be vigilant and take note of what they purchase, he added: “Every consumer has the right to thoroughly examine the labels of the edible products that are purchased and, if anyone is displeased with what they are seeing, then they need to start asking questions ……. they also have to report these matters (to the Environmental Health Department).”

(By Michael Khan)