The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a warning to the public against the purchase or consumption of food and beverage items that have peeling, stained, or discoloured labels, indicating that these products may have been contaminated by floodwater and could pose significant health risks.
In a public advisory released in response to the flooding that occurred on June 29 in various regions of the country, the Authority noted that floodwater frequently contains sewage, refuse, and other harmful contaminants that can compromise packaged goods, even if their contents seem unaffected.
The FDA emphasised that merely washing the exterior of bottles or shrink-wrapped packages does not render flood-affected products safe for consumption, as caps, seals, and packaging can be easily compromised after being submerged.
According to the Authority, consuming such products could expose individuals to diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other waterborne infections.
“Consumers are advised to avoid any products with mud stains or watermarks on the pack, bottle, cap or label, or whose labels are stained, peeling or discoloured,” the FDA advised.
The FDA also urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing food and beverages from unusual locations or those sold in bulk without a clear source, recommending that consumers buy only from licensed and reputable vendors.
The Authority further instructed households and shop owners to safely dispose of any food or beverage stock that has come into contact with floodwater, cautioning that affected products should not be retained for consumption or sale.
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers whose products have been damaged by flooding have also been directed not to wash, repack, relabel, or resell the affected stock under any circumstances.
Instead, these products should be quarantined, and the nearest FDA office should be notified for verification and safe disposal.
The FDA warned that failure to comply with the directive constitutes an offence and will attract sanctions under the law.
