By Lodu William Odiya
Juba County authorities have arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in repackaging expired maize flour for resale at H Brothers General Trading and Investment Company Limited.
According to a statement from the office of the Juba County caretaker commissioner, the company, which operates a grinding mill factory, reportedly has large warehouses containing expired goods.
“The arrests were made on Saturday; security personnel reportedly caught the suspects in the act of transferring expired maize flour into new sacks for resale,” the statement partly read.
Following the operation, authorities ordered the closure of the company and took the eight suspects into custody pending further legal proceedings.
The operation comes amid concerns over public health and consumer safety, particularly the sale of food products that may pose risks to consumers.
Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado Faustino strongly warned traders and business owners against selling expired food products, saying the county administration would take action against businesses found violating public health and safety regulations.
Kalisto vowed to ensure that individuals responsible for trading in expired goods are held accountable in accordance with the law.
He also called on traders to comply with the relevant regulations governing the handling, storage and sale of food products.
“The Juba County authorities urged all traders to comply with public health and safety regulations and warned that violations would not be tolerated,” the statement read.
Authorities have urged businesses operating within the county to prioritise consumer protection and avoid practices that could endanger public health.
The eight suspects remain in custody as they await further legal proceedings. The allegations against them have not yet been determined by a court.