Disregarding the law on selling unregistered products: 4 supermarkets get into trouble

During a raid in Osu, Accra yesterday, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) officials seized a large quantity of unregistered products from four supermarkets.

The items – including medicines, tobacco and food – were all labelled in Chinese and were seized from Jia Hua Agricultural Trade Company, Panda Mart, Downwind Sail and Hauang Jia YI Limited supermarkets.

The heads of these establishments must report to the authority on Monday for further action regarding administrative penalties for violations of the law on the sale of unregistered goods.

During the exercise, some salespeople were observed hiding tobacco products in particular from the team while managers asked for leniency.

Addressing reporters after the operation, James Sarpong Aboagye of the FDA's surveillance unit said the operation was carried out to ensure public safety and compliance with FDA regulations.

He explained that such practices violated the Public Health Act and Labeling Guidelines (LI 1541), which require that all products imported into the country be labeled in English.

Mr Aboagye explained that products imported into the country should be labelled in English to enable identification of manufacturer, address, country of origin and expiry date among other details to provide guidance to the consumer.

He pointed out that medicines are not allowed in supermarkets because they can only be sold in pharmacies.

Mr. Aboagye mentioned that the exercise would continue in Accra and be repeated in other locations in the region to ensure public safety.

He said public safety is a shared responsibility and urged the public to cooperate with the FDA and report such practices to the agency so it can take immediate action.

He assured the public that the FDA is committed to promoting public safety in the country and advised importers to register their products and ensure compliance with FDA laws.

He urged the public not to buy such products.

“The safety of such products cannot be guaranteed. It is our duty to ensure safety at all times by ensuring that such products are registered with the FDA,” he added.

FDA Investigator Matthew Nkum said most of these products were smuggled into the country, noting that they were hidden in containers.

He explained that the FDA surveillance team tracks the entry of such products into the market and subsequently confiscates the goods.

Mr Nkum said that perpetrators would face administrative penalties and could even be prosecuted for breaking the law.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI