Accra, Dec. 5, GNA - Companies and bonded warehouse operators have been warned to desist from re-bagging sugar, rice and other food items for sale to the public without prior approval and supervision by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) or face sanctions.

A joint statement issued by the FDB and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in Accra on Wednesday said that in the course of the re-bagging the food items, some of the companies included unwholesome and expired items, which were then re-labelled to deceive the consuming public.

This, the statement said contravened the requirements of the Food and Drugs Board, PNDC Law 305B.

In order to safeguard public health and the safety of consumers, both organizations have asked all warehouses to inform the FDB in writing, of their intention to repackage, re-bag or reconstitute a consignment prior to undertaking such activity. The statement said search and monitoring teams would be dispatched to conduct inspection and checks and those found to have breached the laws and guidelines would face the full rigours of the regulatory sanctions of the FDB.