South Sudan's National Bureau of Standards has issued a warning to traders and manufacturers who repackage expired goods or alter product dates, jeopardizing consumer safety and potentially facing legal repercussions. The bureau's Director of Standards Development, Majur Mading Makur, emphasized that such practices pose serious health risks to consumers. He stressed the importance of maintaining accurate product information when transferring goods into new packaging.
According to Makur, businesses repackaging products must preserve the original production information instead of introducing misleading dates that could mislead consumers. He explained that when manufacturers repackage items, they should retain the original production information. For example, if a product was manufactured on a certain date, that date should remain on the new packaging; it is unacceptable to change it to a later date.
The National Bureau of Standards has established standards for the regulation of alcoholic beverages, which manufacturers must adhere to before commencing production. Companies are required to obtain relevant standards that outline production requirements and proper ingredient usage. Inspection and verification teams regularly visit manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with these standards.
The bureau takes a proactive approach to identifying and disposing of expired products in the market. Makur stated that when expired products are found, the bureau notifies the public and the media, and arranges for their destruction. The destruction process is witnessed by media representatives and relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency.
Makur reported progress in the fight against the sale of expired products, attributing improvements to heightened public awareness and enforcement efforts. Last year, the bureau destroyed 20 metric tonnes of expired products, while this year's destruction exercise awaits final confirmation of the recovered quantity.
The bureau's efforts have led to increased awareness among manufacturers and traders, with some attempting to cease these practices. However, Makur noted that others may still engage in them, either knowingly or unknowingly. He assured the public that they would be informed once the quantity of recovered expired products is confirmed and arrangements for their destruction are complete.
The National Bureau of Standards remains committed to ensuring consumer safety and enforcing regulations to prevent the sale of expired or repackaged products. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious practices to the authorities.
Key points
- The National Bureau of Standards destroyed 20 metric tonnes of expired products last year.
- The bureau has established standards for the regulation of alcoholic beverages.
- The public is notified and involved in the destruction process of expired products.
