UNBS warns of fake goods
May 20, 2007
THE Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS) has cautioned parents against fake products on the market as schools open today.
By David Muwanga
THE Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS) has cautioned parents against fake products on the market as schools open today.
Barbara Kamusiime, the spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that parents and students should be alert, vigilant and conscious during the ‘Go back to school’ shopping season.
“With high prevalence of poverty, malpractice and moral decay, unscrupulous traders may use the period to market expired, hazardous and substandard goods and provide shoddy services that might be dangerous to human life,†Kamusiime said.
She said consumers should be cautious of biscuits, sweets, juices, pens, pencils, geometrical sets, laundry items, books (especially in packages), tinned foods, toilet paper, bed- sheets and mattresses.
“Before buying, make sure the food or drink is properly packaged, sealed and has not been tampered with. Check the date of manufacture and expiry date,†she advised.
“Do not purchase expired products or products in a questionable state with tampered labels, damaged packaging and dented tins.â€
Kamusiime explained that a packaged food or drink should indicate address of the manufacturer.
She warned shoppers to avoid products with labels such as ‘Made in Europe, Asia and America’ because they are not genuine most often. She also advised consumers to ask for a receipt where possible and take note of the place where they purchased the products and services.
“Preferably, buy from a healthy, clean and establishment environment to which you can refer in case of a problem.â€
“Look for the mattress grade which by requirement shall be stamped on the mattress as well as the mattress cover.
“Grading is according to the foam density with premium being the best.
The name and address of the manufacturer shall be stamped on the mattress cover and inside the mattress,†she added.
She said items sold in dozens most often are less than 12 and consumers should look for genuine pens.
Kamusiime said laundry soap should have a brand- name labelled on it but insisted that shoppers should take note of the size of soap.
“It is the same with the toilet paper. The size shall be labelled on the wrapper and the core where the toilet paper is wrapped shall not be very big,†she explained.
THE Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS) has cautioned parents against fake products on the market as schools open today.
Barbara Kamusiime, the spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that parents and students should be alert, vigilant and conscious during the ‘Go back to school’ shopping season.
“With high prevalence of poverty, malpractice and moral decay, unscrupulous traders may use the period to market expired, hazardous and substandard goods and provide shoddy services that might be dangerous to human life,†Kamusiime said.
She said consumers should be cautious of biscuits, sweets, juices, pens, pencils, geometrical sets, laundry items, books (especially in packages), tinned foods, toilet paper, bed- sheets and mattresses.
“Before buying, make sure the food or drink is properly packaged, sealed and has not been tampered with. Check the date of manufacture and expiry date,†she advised.
“Do not purchase expired products or products in a questionable state with tampered labels, damaged packaging and dented tins.â€
Kamusiime explained that a packaged food or drink should indicate address of the manufacturer.
She warned shoppers to avoid products with labels such as ‘Made in Europe, Asia and America’ because they are not genuine most often. She also advised consumers to ask for a receipt where possible and take note of the place where they purchased the products and services.
“Preferably, buy from a healthy, clean and establishment environment to which you can refer in case of a problem.â€
“Look for the mattress grade which by requirement shall be stamped on the mattress as well as the mattress cover.
“Grading is according to the foam density with premium being the best.
The name and address of the manufacturer shall be stamped on the mattress cover and inside the mattress,†she added.
She said items sold in dozens most often are less than 12 and consumers should look for genuine pens.
Kamusiime said laundry soap should have a brand- name labelled on it but insisted that shoppers should take note of the size of soap.
“It is the same with the toilet paper. The size shall be labelled on the wrapper and the core where the toilet paper is wrapped shall not be very big,†she explained.