Accra, July 17, GNA - Retailers should always put the interest of consumers first when faced with the temptation of accepting to sell fake products. "Whenever you decide to sell unwholesome products, you do nothing but put the health of your buyers in jeopardy," said Mr. Kofi Esuman, Quality, Safety and Health Manager of Unilever Ghana Limited. Speaking at a sensitization programme for retailers of Unilever products on Thursday, he cautioned retailers to be always alert and learn to differentiate between the products of Unilever and imitated ones.

"Nowadays, you will find a lot of imitated products of Unilever on the market and you need to be knowledgeable to be able to differentiate," he emphasized. He noted that, although fake goods came with low pricing, their health implications on the consumer were enormous. Mr. Esuman called on both retailers and consumers alike to always report people who approached them for the sale of fake or unwholesome goods. He said very soon Unilever Ghana would embark on a programme to clear the market of all its imitated goods with no compensation to their sellers. He advised retailers and consumers to call toll-free number 080020030 to report people who would approach them with fake products for the necessary action to be taken against them.

Mrs Jennifer Bonah, an official of the Food and Drugs Board, said the Board had noted that a lot of fake products which found their way unto the markets were manufactured in Asian countries, especially China, and they came with low prices. She advised consumers to always buy from places they could trace when the need arose. Mrs Bonah noted that although some fake drugs were able to cure diseases their long term effects could not be ruled out.