Tanzania
Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) destroyed substandard products that
entered the country through ‘panya routes’ worth Sh9bn during the last
financial year, the authority’s Public Relations Officer Gaudensia
Simwanza said.
She said it was difficult to control penetration of such products
whereby most canned foods such as infant milk, but vegetable oils,
imported juices, cosmetics used for body bleaching and medicines were
destroyed.
She said TFDA destroyed fake products between 2003 and 2013 worth Sh11bn.
In another development, Simwanza said there has been high demand for people to have their products registered by the authority.
Between 2003 and 2004 TFDA received 162 applications, but evaluated
only two and none of the products were registered. However, between
2012 and 2013 the authority evaluated 2,728 applications out of which
only 2,146 were registered by the authority.
Simwanza admitted experiencing difficulty to inspect foods sold in
supermarkets due to the overwhelming range and urged buyers to be
careful by checking dates of expiry as well and immediately inform the
authority accordingly.
However, the public have raised a grave concern over what it said
was the authority’s negligence to inspect products and goods in
upcountry supermarkets.
Mage Stanley of Mtwara Region said she has not seen TFDA to inspect
products and goods in supermarkets, while Singida’s Amina Ally said
supermarkets are filled with expired products, but people from the
authority are rarely in their areas.
Emma Johnson of Mara Region said ensuring safety of the products and people’s health is the responsibility of the government.
However, Simwanza says they inspect drugs and foods in selected
areas. “Our health inspectors conduct inspection every day,” adding that
they are collaborating with PMORALG health personnel to inspect drugs.
She said they have their offices in six regional zones within
Tanzania where the operation of these activities is a joint effort with
PMORALG.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN