19 Oct 2020, Apia Samoa. The Ministry of Health Chief Executive Officer has taken swift action to recall a brand of sugar imported from India, following a public complaint by Sapapalii businessman and retail store owner, Nanai Tofilau Lame.
As reported by Samoa Global News on Saturday 17 October, Nanai had filmed and published two videos, showing garbage, dirt and foreign objects mixed together with imported brown sugar he had purchased from a local wholesaler.
The Savaii businessman says he wanted to make a video to warn the public and ask authorities to recall the sugar sacks labeled, “Indian Brown Sugar” he had purchased from Frankie Wholesale.
Tonight, the call by the Savaii businessman has been heard by authorities.
At 6.40pm Monday 19th October, the Samoa media received a food product recall notice from the Ministry of Health, deeming the entire shipment not fit for human consumption.
Nanai Tofilau had also made a general call for closer monitoring of cheap goods and foodstuffs of very poor quality being imported into Samoa. He says as a retailer, he sees many products being dumped into the country, putting the health of Samoan people at risk.
PUBLIC NOTICE FOOD PRODUCT RECALL
Pursuant to the Food Act 2015, the Ministry of Health hereby recalls all bags of sugar with the following information are not to be sold to the public.
Country of Origin : INDIA
Net Weight : 50kg
Production Date : March 2020
Batch No. : S – 1
Expiry Date : Feb 2022
Supplier : ASCENT GROUP
Manufacture : Vitthalrao Shinde SSK LTD
Tel No: +2304686569.
The public is hereby advised that the recalled food product is not fit for human consumption.
The local suppliers, all wholesalers, supermarkets and retail outlets are immediately advised not to sell, distribute and use bags of 50k Indian Brown Sugar with the labelling information stated above.
The Ministry of Health requests the co-operation of all food businesses and the public in this important matter.
For further information please inform Mae’e Ualesi Silva on telephone 66510 or Edward Brown on telephone 66726. For Savaii please contact Tunufai Pulu on telephone number 51018.
Ma le fa’aaloalo lav
Leausa T Dr. Take Naseri
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH.
