FDB impounds unwholesome frozen products

Tema, May 24, GNA -- Officials of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Friday impounded over 600 cartons of unwholesome frozen products belonging to Servistar Fishing Company in the Tema Harbour. The Company, which deals in the wholesale of fish, pork, cow legs and chicken products was suspected of re-packaging the rotten products to sell to the public.

The unscrupulous activities of the management and employees of the fishing company were detected by a team of Fire Service and Police personnel enforcement team who visited the premises to enforce the Fire Certificate Legislative Instrument.

An official of the Bureau of National Investigation who was with the team informed the FDB who immediately went to the place to inspect their activities.

Inspection at the stinky cold store revealed that the products which were in broken boxes were packed on the bare damp floor while some of the products have been transferred to another room which has house flies hovering around, a solution tape and weighing scale was also found in that room.

Mr. Kwame Nsiah Poku, Officer-in-charge of Food Unit, FDB Tema Harbour told the press during the inspection that none of the frozen products were wholesome describing the place as 'horrible'.

Mr. Poku said his outfit has asked the Harbour Police to guide the premises to avoid any of the products from being sold, adding that, the FDB would carry out a thorough auditing exercise at all the cold stores at fishing harbour.

He said the cold room temperature was below the required temperature for operating a cold store and stated that investigations would be carried out into the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sylvester Spain, Manager of Servistar, who has been arrested by the BNI denied the unwholesomeness of the frozen products stating that they were only soft due to the malfunctioning of the freezing system.

Mr. Spain however, said his outfit was preparing to dispose off the products adding that Servistar has already informed Greenwich Company, owners of the building that the place has been infested with mice.

The fire certificate enforcement team closed down two other fishing companies, Hillpok Limited and Pioneer Co-operative Cold Store Complex Limited in addition to Servister for operating without a fire certificate.

Two other companies Movelle Cold store Company Limited and Multi-Pro Private Limited, importers of Indomie instant noodles were also given a three- day ultimatum to finish the processes of acquiring the certificate which they have already started.

Mr. Jones Sarpong, Tema Regional Fire Safety Officer who led the team said the first face of the exercise which was carried out last year was very effective as it made many companies to acquire the certificate. Mr. Sarpong said its enforcement ensures a high level of safety and protection of the premises and the employees noting that some of the companies have faulty fire extinguisher therefore urging establishments to service their fire prevention equipments at least twice a year. 23 April 08