There are no contaminated food products on the market - Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority say

The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority has assured the public that there are no contaminated food products or beverages on the market and reiterated that it is doing everything possible to protect the public from any harmful foods and drinks.

This comes at a time when the public has expressed concerns over substandard food products.

Different people prefer to shop for their food products and beverages from supermarkets with many enjoying the convenience of finding what they need under one roof.

Though supermarkets have many advantages, some shoppers have expressed concern over expired products found on the shelves and have called on the concerned authorities to take the necessary measures to protect the public.

Stella Ingabire, a Kigali resident said; "Sometimes you find that the expiry date is not due but when you open the product, you find that it has gone bad. This is quite disturbing because one can fall sick if they consume such products. The government should take samples and monitor these products because most supermarkets do not do this," 

Ngendahayo Emmanuel, a customer from Kigali told RBA; "Such expired products if consumed can be harmful to the human body, they can even cause cancer. They need to remove all expired products from the shelves," 

Some of the food products sold in these supermarkets are said to be contaminated due to long periods on the shelves.

However, supermarket owners say that the highest standards are observed when it comes to food and beverages in order to ensure public health safety.

Justine Ngarama, Managing Director of Simba Super Market said;  All products manufactured here must have the S-mark and for one to get it, it means the product has fulfilled safety and quality standards then one is given the go-ahead to sell the product. We also have trained technicians who check for the safety of these products, so Rwandans should not be afraid,

At different Border points, there are officers who monitor and check the quality and standards of different products that are brought into the country and even stop those that are prohibited from entering the country.

Dr. Charles Karangwa, Director-General of RFDA, moved to assure the public that there are no contaminated food products or beverages in the market.

"I cannot comment on something that has not been properly researched on. I want to re-assure Rwandans that so far, meat or fish products are fine. No one can open butchery without us inspecting it first and knowing what will be sold. Our inspectors carry out frequent inspections and tests. Where we cannot test, we send the products to labs in foreign countries," Karangwa said. 

The Government carries out frequent inspections for products that are imported into the country as well as those that are manufactured locally to ensure that they meet the required standards.

The public says that frequent random inspections will help curb the problem of expired or substandard food products and beverages that are sold in the market.

By Fatima Tesi