By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has intercepted two vehicles carrying expired and counterfeit food items at Nimule Border Post.
The trucks were destined for Juba.
In a statement, SSNBS defended that the confiscation aligns with its mandate to protect citizens’ health and safety.
Some of the intercepted food items included sorghum and maize flour.
According to the Bureau, laboratory tests revealed the presence of weevils and other living insects, rendering the goods unsafe for human consumption. Consequently, the trucks were sent back to their country of origin.
“Our actions are guided by the National Bureau of Standards Act, 2012, which tasks SSNBS with protecting public health, the environment, and animal safety by ensuring only safe and standard-compliant goods enter or leave our country,” the statement on the SSNBS social media page read.
The SSNBS further noted that its Western Bahr El Ghazal branch recently carried out market inspections in several markets, intercepting a number of expired and counterfeit food items already in circulation.
Although officials did not specify the exact quantity of items seized, the Bureau stated the goods were confiscated during inspections at Boro Medina, Raja, Koro, and Yabolo Markets.
“SSNBS is fully committed to making sure that everything sold in our markets or brought into South Sudan meets the right standards,” the statement concluded.
The Bureau appealed for public cooperation, urging citizens to report any expired or suspicious goods in their locations. It further argued that protecting communities from consuming harmful products is everyone’s responsibility.