Eight suspects have been arrested for repackaging allegedlyexpired flour for resale at H Brothers General Trading and Investment Co. Ltd. in Gumbo, Juba County, Central Equatoria State.
Juba County authorities said on Saturday that security personnel caught the suspects transferring expired maize flour into new sacks. The company was closed, and the suspects were taken into custody pending legal proceedings.
Caretaker County Commissioner Kalisto Lado Faustino warned businesses against selling expired food products, saying “public health and consumer safety remain a priority for the county administration.”
On Sunday, Caretaker Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo visited the premises alongside the commissioner. The state government said the inspection uncovered expired flour, biscuits, cooking oil, sugar, and other food items allegedly being repackaged into new sacks, jerrycans, and boxes with altered expiry dates.
Jadalla directed the commissioner to pursue legal action through relevant authorities, including the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) and security agencies, to hold those responsible accountable.
“The state government reiterates that public health remains a top priority and must not be taken lightly,” the government said, pledging legal action against any company found repackaging expired goods.
The governor also urged residents to report suspicious or expired goods in markets and shops, stressing the importance of cooperation between the public and security agencies.
In a statement on Sunday, the SSNBS commended Juba County authorities for their action and reminded businesses of their responsibility to comply with food safety standards.
“As the national institution mandated to promote standardization, quality assurance and consumer protection, the SSNBS emphasizes that all businesses involved in the production, processing, packaging, distribution and sale of food products must uphold applicable standards and regulatory requirements,” the bureau said.
The SSNBS urged traders to check expiry dates regularly, separate expired products from goods intended for sale, and ensure non-compliant items are handled and disposed of according to applicable requirements.
It also advised consumers to check product labels and expiry dates before buying food and to report suspected cases of expired or tampered-with products.
“Consumer protection is a shared responsibility,” the bureau said, calling for stronger cooperation among authorities, businesses and the public to prevent unsafe food from reaching consumers.
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