The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has advised the public to check out for expiry dates on products before purchasing them this festive season.
In a bid to make room for new products, some retailers and importers during festive seasons are said to sell consumable products, even in a bad state, at lower prices.
This, according to the FDA, exposes buyers to food poison when they purchase and consume such products.
Speaking to the media on Friday, December 16, the Central Regional Head of the FDA, Francisca Obeng, said the Authority will penalize individuals who take advantage of the festive seasons to sell subpar goods.
“Those who will want to do [Christmas] hampers to check the products before they use them for the hampers. Please do well to check the expiry date on the products and avoid buying canned products that are dented, bloated and rusted. Buy products with clear date markings and avoid products with defaced date markings,” she advised.
The Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, and Section 5 of the P.N.D.C. Law 3058, Food and Drugs Act of 1992 both make it illegal to change a product’s expiration date.
The FDA is the National Regulatory Body in charge of overseeing the production of clinical trial protocols as well as the regulation of food, drugs, food supplements, herbal and homeopathic medications, veterinary medications, cosmetics, medical devices, common household chemicals, tobacco and tobacco products, blood and blood products, as well as cosmetics.
The 1992 Food and Drug Law (PNDCL 305B), which was later revised by the Food and Drugs Act of 1996, served as the legal foundation for the 1992 establishment of the FDA as the Food and Drugs Board (FDB).
The Food and Drugs Authority was created in 2012 as a result of the 2012 Public Health Act 851, which included updates to the Food and Drugs legislation.
A Governing Board established in accordance with the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851 ensures that the Authority’s duties are carried out in an efficient manner.
Currently, the Governing Board of the Authority consists of eleven people.
Source: The Independent Ghana