The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against the rise of expired processed food in the market after the FDA seized a quantity of expired good from shops and supermarkets in West Berbice.

“Recent reports had reached the FDA that some retail establishments or individuals were immorally selling, offering for sale and distributing expired pre-packaged or processed food, including daily products,” FDA director Nazarita Tacandong said.

The raid was carried out in collaboration with the Region Five Environmental Health Department at Bush Lot, Hopetown and Bath Settlement on Thursday, following reports from customers.

Among the items seized were a quantity of mayonnaise, canned peas and beans, cereal, margarine, juices, soup mix and potato chips.

“As the holiday season arrives, the demand for pre-packed or processed food and dairy products rises,” Tacandong said.

A health officer said that in most cases customers do not even check the expiry dates for the items until they get home and shop owners later decline to refund their money.

Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drugs Administration Act of 2009 prohibit selling products beyond its expiry date.

The newspaper found out that expiry dates on certain products had been tampered with.