As part of the Department of State for Health’s (DoSH) usual routine of ‘Operation Quality Food for Gambians’, public health officers from DoSH, yesterday made another breakthrough by uncovering a variety of expired foodstuffs at the supermarket (name withheld) in Kanifing Municipality.

The discovery of the food items came about following a tip -off by concerned customers who flock the supermarket for shopping. The expired items included cheese, dented tins of milk, and a particular brand of butter identified as Lurpak.
Yesterday’s raid on the supermarket saw salesmen and other employees mounting resistance to avoid inspectors from entering, threatening to destroy the GRTS camera if they failed to discontinue filming.

Modou Lamin Nget, acting Principal Public Health Officer at the DoSH, said the suspicion was racketed when one of the public health officers connived with the supermarket to certify the items as fit for consumption. However, Mr. Nget indicated that the labels on the foodstuffs reveal that the goods on the selves had expired since January, this year.

He asserted that the department will not compromise with those involved in selling expired food stuffs. He urged Gambians to be vigilant and report to authorities unhealthy business practices.
As a result of the discovery, the public officers ordered for the closure of the kitchen where ice-creams and other perishable food items are processed before sale.

Reacting to the breakthrough, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, maintained that DoSH will leave no stone unturned in its campaign against poisonous foodstuffs. “We have been to Banjul and Serrekunda, and we have covered many shopping outlets. This is a countrywide exercise,” the Health Secretary of State Mbowe assured.

Dr Mbowe advised the public to be vigilant against expired foodstuffs and the type of water they buy. Dr Mbowe said these expired stuffs could be infected with pathogens, such as salmonella, typhimurium, amanita phalladies, clostridrium, among others. “These are toxins that can cause the consumer to develop enterotaphy, cardiac and respiratory disorders and even possible death,” he explained.

He, therefore, urged the public to always check the expiry date of goods before purchasing them. He urged the public health officers, the local authorities, including Governors, public and secuirty officers to help the state department in the exercise. “Anyone who has information on expired foodstuffs and activities that threaten public health can contact me on 991 4535/ 776 4535. We want everyone to support us,” he urged.