The Food and Drugs Authority in the Upper East Region has admonished consumers to look out for products nearing their expiry date and expired products as the yuletide approaches.
The Christmas season is often characterized by increased purchases of consumables as people look forward to spending more time with relations and friends.
But according to the Regional Director of the FDA, Sebastian Hutor, rushed and bulk purchase of items without looking out for expiry dates could have serious health implications.
He is therefore calling on the public to be mindful of products that have expired or are nearing expiry before purchasing for consumption.
He was speaking in an interview with a section of the media in Bolgatanga on the sidelines of a festival of nine lessons and carols held on Friday December 11, 2020.
“The public should be very careful and vigilante for expired products. Usually, when it gets to the end of the year and seasons like Christmas, those whose products are nearing expiry, they reduce the prizes and then sell it. The danger in it is that, if you buy too much for your stalk, you realize that you will end up having products expiring with you at home. So let’s be vigilant. It is not illegal for someone to sell products nearing expiry at cheaper prizes,” he cautioned.
Mr. Hutor further advised against the notion that there is a grace period after the expiry of products adding “There is nothing like a grace period after expiry. Once it is expired, it is expired for good. So, let’s be vigilant. If the product is rusted, it is not safe, it is contaminated. Let’s insist that they sell to us what we are actually paying for”.
Meanwhile, the FDA has disclosed that it is intensifying its routine market surveillance as Christmas approaches.