The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has intensified surveillance in flood-affected communities in Accra after uncovering attempts to return contaminated bottled water and soft drinks to the market.
The Authority seized about a truckload of flood-damaged beverages allegedly being washed and repackaged for sale after floods affected a beverage distributor’s shop at Alajo.
According to the FDA, the products were traced to a residence at Bubiashie following complaints from consumers that flood-affected drinks were being cleaned and prepared for resale.
A statement signed by the FDA Chief Executive Officer and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said investigators found bottled water and soft drinks covered in mud, with the bottles and their external packaging showing clear signs of exposure to floodwater.
The FDA subsequently seized all the affected products for safe disposal.
The Authority said the Ghana Police Service at Kaneshie had also received a similar complaint, resulting in the arrest of the owner of another consignment of flood-damaged beverages. The suspect had since been granted bail, while the affected products were seized.
The FDA warned that attempts to clean or repackage flood-damaged beverages could expose consumers to serious health risks because floodwater can contain sewage, refuse and other harmful contaminants.
It stressed that washing the exterior of a bottle or shrink-wrapped package could not guarantee the safety of the contents, particularly where caps, seals and packaging had been compromised by prolonged contact with contaminated water.
The Authority warned that consuming such products could increase the risk of cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water-borne diseases.
It has consequently urged consumers to inspect beverages carefully before purchasing them and avoid products showing mud stains, watermarks or labels that are peeling, stained or discoloured.
Consumers have also been advised to be cautious of beverages sold in unusual locations or hawked in bulk without a verifiable source.
The FDA urged the public to buy food and drinks only from reputable and licensed outlets.
It further directed manufacturers, distributors and retailers whose stocks had been affected by flooding not to wash, repackage, relabel or resell the products.
Instead, such products should be quarantined and the nearest FDA office contacted for verification and safe disposal.
The Authority said any food or drink stock contaminated by floodwater, whether stored in homes, shops or warehouses, should be safely discarded.
It noted that under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), selling, offering for sale or distributing contaminated or unwholesome food is an offence.
The FDA said it had the legal authority to seize contaminated products and prosecute persons found violating the law.
It warned that businesses that deliberately return flood-damaged food and beverages to the market would face sanctions.
The Authority said surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across flood-affected areas to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers.
Members of the public who encounter suspected flood-damaged food or beverages being sold have been encouraged to report the matter to the FDA or the police.
The FDA can also be reached on 0551112224 or 0551112225.
