The Government of Eastern Equatoria State has burnt over 2.5 metric tons of expired and counterfeit goods in the capital Torit.
The confiscated goods included soft and alcoholic drinks, food items, cosmetics, paints and washing powder.
Authorities said on Wednesday that the items were confiscated from Magwi, Nimule and Torit.
It was the first time the state government had confiscated expired and counterfeit commodities.
The Trade and Industry Director General, Stephen Ihude, said the confiscated items were unfit for use or human consumption.
The exercise, Ihude explained, came after State authorities got wind that some traders were selling expired and counterfeit items.
“We have so far confiscated more than 2.5 tons of good that do not meet the standards. We have cooking oil, varieties of sodas, alcoholic drinks, sweets, lotions, yogurts, paints, shoe polish, toothpaste and yeast,” he narrated.
State Trade and Industry Minister Ruth Mario said the consumption of expired and counterfeit commodities was a health risk.
She expressed commitment to working with the security agents to mop up all the expired and fake goods across the state.
Torit Mayor Mustafa Albino Zachariah regretted the sale of expired commodities to innocent people.
“I am disappointed with what some traders are doing, they are supposed to discard goods that have expired or report about them to the authorities instead of selling them to unsuspecting customers,” he said.
The Deputy Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Benson Okeny, said the traders voluntarily surrendered the expired items.
He said the traders should be highly alert on the sale of items of questionable quality.
“The traders ought to report counterfeit products to the bureau of standards and the directorate of trade through the Chamber of Commerce because they should not be used to harm the public,” he said.
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore applauded the State Trade and Industry Ministry and the bureau of standards for their efforts to safeguard the lives of the people.
The Governor said most local residents were exposed to the expired or counterfeit goods due to ignorance.
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Trade, the National Bureau of Standards and all the security organs for their efforts to protect the lives of the people, and urge them to continue,” he said
The Governor directed the Trade Ministry and the standards bureau to withdraw the licenses of traders selling expired commodities in Eastern Equatoria State.