An assortment of expired goods was confiscated during a crackdown at a market in the Jonglei State capital, Bor, authorities have said.
Kuol Monykuc Atem, the head of Grades, Standards and Measures Bureau in Jonglei, told Radio Tamazuj that some of the expired food items were confiscated during the exercise carried out at Bor’s Marol market last week.
“Daily, we carry out inspections on shops in Bor. So, last week, we confiscated food items like 230 crates of soda and 210 crates of other soft drinks plus other items. We impounded them in a shop within the market. As the town gets dry, we will invite all the relevant government agencies so that the items are destroyed,” Atem said.
The official urged the business community to cooperate with the government during the inspection, warning that those found in possession and sale of expired commodities will be slapped with heavy penalties.
“Of those expired items, some traders reported to us so we do not have any problem with them, but for those, we find with expired items, will be taken to court and fined. And that is why we notified legal administration so that we are given a go-ahead,” he said.
Ayuen Kur Ajhok, the deputy Secretary-General for Jonglei Chamber of Commerce, blamed the possession of expired items by the traders at shops in Bor town on a drop in purchasing power due to months of low demand as the floods displaced several residents of the town in the past months.
The business official, however, urged traders to report expired goods to avoid being punished.
John Makuei Alier, the Bor Municipality public health deputy director, said the inspection process of expired goods is ongoing.
“We closed down three shops full of items like soft drinks, chicken stocks, and cooking oil. The owners reported to us and they agreed to the closure., Makuei said.