The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has seized a consignment of about 7820 cartons of unwholesome fish, being distributed by We 2 Sea Foods Company based in Tema.
The seizure was made possible upon a tip off.
During the inspection by the FDB officials at the premises it was observed that 1,200 cartons of Mackerel being stored by the company at two different locations indicated the fish has been thawed and refrozen with an offensive smell emanating from it.
It was also observed that another consignment of about 6620 cartons of Mackerel 20+ (Flat Cartons), had expired since February 25 but was relabeled to read “Production Date – 09.09.11; Expiry Date – 12 months after production date” - an act which contravenes Section 3 of the Food and Drugs Law.
The law states:”Any person who labels, packages, sells, or advertises any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive as regards its character, nature, value, substance, quality or composition, merit or safety commits an offence.”
FDB Head of Communication, Mr. James Lartey said it was also detected that We 2 Sea Foods Company indulges in the relabeling of unwholesome fish for placement on the market, which contravene Sections 1 and 8 (1) of the Food and Drugs Law, PNDC Law 305B.
The law says: “Any person who sells or offers for sale any food that – is unwholesome or unfit for human consumption; consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance; is injurious to health; or is not of the nature, substance or quality prescribed by standards commits an offence.
It also said: “Any person who sells, or offers or exposes for sale, or has in his possession for sale or deposits with or consigns to any person for the purpose of sale, any food intended for, but unfit for human consumption also commits an offence.”
Speaking with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr Lartey said to protect public health and safety, the FDB has confiscated the consignment of unwholesome fish for safe disposal.
Importers of frozen animal products are therefore advised to note that proper and constant maintenance of the cold chain, as well as hygiene during storage and or transportation of their frozen products are basic requirements to guarantee product wholesomeness.
The FDB says it will continue its monitoring of the operations of all bulk cold storage facilities to ensure that they adhere strictly to good cold storage practices.
The Board asked the public to report persons suspected to be in any practice with the potential of endangering public health and safety with respect to FDB’s mandate through 0244337235, 0244337243, 0243189692 or 0244337251.**
