Sunyani, Jan. 4, GNA – The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) would soon establish units at five towns along the Ghana- Cote d’Ivoire border in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Mr. Matthew Gyang Nkum, Regional officer of the Board said.

The units would help check the importation of expired, unregistered, fake, improperly-labeled and stored food and other products through the border.

Mr Nkrum in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, said the FDB had completed feasibility studies at Sampa, Gonokrom, Kofibadukrom, Kwameseikrom and Nkrankwanta along the border and would collaborate with the Ghana Immigration Service and Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority and other security agencies for the establishment of the units.

Mr Nkum said as part of activities to ensure public health and safety, the Regional Office of the Board embarked on routine posts market surveillance exercises to rid the markets of expired goods, including medical devices and household chemicals.

He said between August and December 2011, the board seized and destroyed unwholesome products worth GHC 28,104.30 in warehouses, supermarkets, provision shops, pharmacy and licensed chemical facilities in some parts of the region.

Mr. Nkum expressed concern about the delay in the prosecution of those who sold the unwholesome products and said “If prosecution is facilitated and harsh sentences are imposed on culprits it will serve as a deterrent to offenders.”

He appealed to consumers to always check the expiry dates on products, refrain from buying dented or leaking products, and products not labeled in English.