Arua municipal authorities impound expired goods

PIC: Arua municipla council officials in the health department display the expired goods impounded from supermarkets and shops

ARUA - Authorities in Arua municipal council over the weekend impounded expired goods worth millions from shops and supermarkets in the town.

Doctor Paul Onzubo, the municipal health officer, on Monday confirmed the crackdown, saying some of the goods impounded were expired, while others had no labels for the manufacture details. Other goods had broken packaging, which affects the quality of the product.

Onzubo said the operation targeted supermarkets and stores in the town. He said some of the shop owners had isolated the expired good, which he commended, but condemned those who still displayed such items for sale.

According to Onzubo, expired goods are harmful and are, therefore, not recommended for human consumption. He said for items like milk and bread when contain fungi exposes people to aflatoxins, which are cancer-causing.

Onzubo advised people to buy fresh food items and prepare them while fresh. He cautioned people to always check labels of the items they are going to buy to ensure that they are buying genuine products.

In such instances, the owners of the goods are required to pay 10% of the value of the goods impounded to the authorities for disposal and in return, a surrender certificate is issued to them.

Nesma Ocokoru, the LC3 chairperson Arua Hill Division, wants shops of people who sell expired goods closed, arguing that such goods expose customers to health risks.

According to Ocokoru, if the shops cannot be closed, the owners should pay heavy fine.

"I entered a supermarket and found expired goods on display for sale, such business entities deserve to be closed," Ocokoru said.

She warned that some of the businesspeople hide the expired goods in stores and display them after the operation.

When asked about the time frame of the operations, Ocokoru said the exercise is done on a quarterly basis, but said there was need to boost the number of the health workers to ensure that the operation is done more regularly.

The expired goods were disposed of at Ewuata compost manure plant.