TheHILL | NEWS | JULY 2, 2021.
As part of continuous effort to assure the integrity of food and beverage products consumed by residents and citizens, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals has seized expired consumer goods in some supermarkets in Uyo, the state capital.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udoh, reiterated the determination of the state government to prevent sharp practices among shop operations and traders who try to make quick gains; to the detriment of consumers, by selling expired and substandard products. He remarked that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring strict adherence to environmental health stands in the state.
According to Sir Udoh, expired food poses a health risk as it may contain dangerous amounts of harmful bacterial toxins which may damage kidneys, possibly leading to a life-threatening situation. He strongly advised people to check expiry dates before purchasing groceries, canned goods and other edible goods.
Sir Udoh further stated that, the routine inspection is a continuous exercise to ensure strict adherence to environment health standards among operators of food, beverages and hospitality industry in the state.
Recall that it was the growing public concerns and complaints about the quality of environmental health standards among operators of food and beverages industry that prompted the ministry to organize the first ever environmental health standards workshop for food and beverages industry in the state.
Members of the public are advised to be vigilant and report any shop or outlet displaying; for sale, expired products. Offenders will be prosecuted according to extant laws.
