By Lodu William Odiya
The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has urged traders and food processors across the country to strengthen stock management systems and ensure that expired food products are not sold to consumers.
The Bureau said businesses involved in food production, processing, packaging, distribution and sales must comply with applicable standards and regulatory requirements to protect public health and consumer interests.
In a statement, the SSNBS encouraged traders and food processors to regularly inspect their stock, check expiry dates and separate expired products from goods intended for sale.
“The Bureau encourages traders and food processors to maintain proper stock management systems, regularly inspect expiry dates, segregate expired products from goods intended for sale, and ensure that expired or otherwise non-compliant products are handled and disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements,” the statement partly read.
The Bureau also called on county authorities, public health institutions, law enforcement agencies and other relevant regulatory bodies to strengthen cooperation in market surveillance and enforcement activities.
According to the SSNBS, coordinated efforts among these institutions are essential to identify unsafe food products, prevent their circulation in markets and ensure that businesses comply with the law.
The Bureau further urged consumers to take precautions when purchasing food items by checking product labels and expiry dates before making purchases.
It advised members of the public to avoid products that appear to have been tampered with or improperly repackaged and to report suspected cases of expired or unsafe goods to the relevant authorities.
Consumer protection requires collective responsibility from government institutions, businesses and the public.
The SSNBS reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant institutions and the business community to promote quality standards, improve compliance and safeguard the health and interests of consumers across South Sudan.
It also called on all businesses to prioritise consumer safety over profit, warning that proper handling and disposal of expired products are essential measures in protecting the public from potentially harmful food items.
The Bureau reiterated that its work remains guided by the applicable laws and regulations of South Sudan, stressing the importance of responsible business practices in ensuring that only safe and compliant products reach consumers.