Division of Environmental Health is the agency responsible for ensuring that goods and products sold in stores are not expired goods. However lack of health inspectors hinders the division from conducting regular sweeps of stores.
The division relies on the services of two of its inspectors Tmekei Ellis and Nixon Augustine.
On Tuesday, the inspectors recalled several dairy products sold in stores
Eden Ridep Uchel, Division Deputy Chief said although a regular inspection is scheduled, they also act based on complaints made by consumers.
Under the environmental health regulations sale of foodstuffs past the date of expiration has a fine of $500.
A store found to be violating the regulation may be subject to closure.
Uchel however said prosecution is up to the Attorney General’s Office.
She noted that they need not have to recommend any company for citation because they usually comply to have it removed from the shelves.
Once goods are declared contaminated, the division will seize and destroy it.
“We do not have citation authority,” Uchel said.
Ellis encourages consumers to report to the division immediately on products or goods sold in stores past their expiration dates.
She said the division has also put a stop in selling of expired products for animal feeds.
“We cannot do a sweep per item,” Uchel said thus a need for consumers’ cooperation to rid the stores of damaged or contaminated products.
She added hopefully the proposed Food and Safety Protection measure will empower the division to get rid of the expired products before it enter the stores.
