The Bhutan Food and Drug Authority has seized and disposed of nearly 2,030 bottles of expired Samyang sauce from 50 shops across 10 districts. The shops were found selling the product with fraudulent, relabelled manufacturing and expiry dates. Since this was their first offence, the BFDA issued them a warning and did not impose a fine. They were caught during an ad hoc monitoring exercise conducted across all districts starting in August last year. The authority has increased the frequency of unannounced inspections, focusing on high-risk areas and sectors with a history of non-compliance.
The Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, BFDA in its email response said that inspectors found the Korean noodle sauce being sold with manufacturing and expiry dates affixed using stickers.
Upon investigation, they found out that the sauce was being sold with relabelled false manufacturing and expiry dates.
According to the BFDA, consuming expired food can lead to food poisoning, with symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, and nausea, caused by toxins from bacteria and fungi.
Additionally, the authority said that expired food also loses its nutritional value, reducing nutrient intake and compromising health.
The severity of the risks depends on the type of food, storage conditions, individual immunity, and how many days past the expiration date.
Meanwhile, people BBS talked to said that they are aware of the importance of checking food expiry dates although it is difficult for those who cannot read.
“People often stress the importance of checking expiry dates when buying food, but since I cannot read, I simply buy and eat. Recently, I bought some cheese, but when I got home, my daughter noticed it was expired. Unfortunately, we had to throw it away,” said Tashi Zangmo, a resident.
“We do not always know the ingredients in food products, and children often get sick from junk food, sometimes experiencing food poisoning. That is why I make it a priority to check expiry dates for my children’s health, even though I struggle with reading,” said Aruna Kami, another resident.
The BFDA says the authority regularly conducts unannounced inspections of food businesses and monitors imported food products at entry points, while also raising awareness.
The office also added that scanning barcodes on food packaging for product information before buying will help identify falsified manufacturing and expiry dates.
According to the authority, anyone selling, manufacturing, importing, or exporting food products with no proper labelling as per the Food Act of Bhutan, 2005, will be fined an amount equal to the market value of the product.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Kipchu
