Purportedly expired goods being disposed by Juba City Council. | Photo: Office of Mayor/JCC

The National Bureau of Standards has developed a mechanism for Food Safety Practices aimed at safeguarding consumers’ health amid reports of substandard goods being sold in the country.

NBS Council Chairperson Kurowel Kuai said the framework will be core of the government and private sector institutions that are involved in the food control systems to address safety concerns.

According to Kuai, the training is to ensure that concerned institutions focus on the protection of consumers in matters of food safety.

“This framework is going to be the heart of the two critical institutions. South Sudan National Bureau of Standards, and other government regulatory agencies that are involved in the food control systems of the Republic of South Sudan,” said Kuai, who recently replaced Dr. Mary Gordon Mortat.

“This is also a very important framework for the private sector which happens to be the chamber of commerce with all other trade-related organizations.”

“And this is also a very important training for the consumer organizations or associations that are focusing on the protection of consumers when it comes to the matters of food safety concerns.”

The training seeks to enhance efficient coordination among government ministries to avoid duplications of work as well as facilitate the development of Acts and Regulations on food safety by relevant ministries.

The institutions are therefore to ensure that control standards are established and adhered to.

This is regarding food production, food product hygiene, animal health and welfare, plant health, and prevention of contamination from external substances.

Mr. Kuai is urging the concerned authorities to be vigilant and ensure adequate public health security across the country.

“I want to urge every citizen that if you’re a consumer, in any way and at any given time, you’ve to do your part to ensure what you are consuming as a consumer is safe.”

“What you’re bringing to the market as a trader and a producer is safe. And what you’re transporting is safe. For the citizens to ensure the public health security of this country is adequately secured.”

The National Bureau of Standard has repeatedly raised concerns over the importation of poor-quality and expired goods into the country.

In September 2022, South Sudan’s Ministry of Trade revealed that sub-standard goods were being smuggled into the country at night when South Sudan border officials are off duty.

Also in July 2022, nutritional experts cautioned the public to check the expiry dates of food commodities before consumption to avoid food poisoning.

Moreover, in May 2023, South Sudan officials at the Nimule border point confiscated at least 120 tons of food items deemed unsuitable for human consumption.