APSN Banner

Food inspection service criticized for not working effectively

Source
Dili Weekly - July 14, 2016

Paulina Quintao – Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the National Directorate for Food and Economy Inspection as food products continue to be sold past their expiry date.

National MP Jorge da Conceicao Teme called on the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Environment (MCIE) to implement more regular controls, adding that consuming may cause harm to people's health.

"I am not an investigator, but they (shops) still sell food past the expiration date such as chicken, sausages, canned goods, and processed meat," he told National Parliament.

As a representative of the people, Teme said he was concerned that as many Timorese people did not know how to read, they may unknowingly consume food past its shelf life without realizing the impact it could have on their health.

"I had a drink at a hotel [and] the waiter brought me a Wasabi (drink), and I saw the expiration date was June 2015, but they were still selling it to the consumers, that is the problem," he said.

He said consumers had the right to access quality products and therefore the government had an obligation to control food imports and ensure food safety.

In response to the issue, General Inspector Ernesto Monteiro acknowledged that the inspection service was not functioning effectively due to a lack of human resources.

He said inspections were carried out in stores and restaurants during working hours from Monday to Friday.

He also called on communities to show inspectors any food they purchased past the expiry date, so that the matter could be investigated according to the law. He said staff would soon conduct routine inspections at stores in municipalities across the country.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/capital/13910-food-inspection-service-criticized-for-not-working-effectively

Country