Expiration dates, why should you care?


Majority of Ghanaians are putting their health at risk as they continue the habit of not checking expiry dates, trademarks and production details of a product.


A labelled product clearly shows the expiry date, trademark and production dates, which notifies the consumer of when, how and why a product is manufactured and how it should be used and its nutritional benefits to the individual.


A survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency revealed that many Ghanaians especially the literates ignore this essential information when purchasing a product on the market.


Some said they did not check due to time factor and the fact that most market women would harass them when they do so by sending them way from their wares.


Cynthia Aseidu, a trader at the Makola market said: “I do not have the time to check, moreover I cannot read and write and would not be able to know if the product is expired or not, all that I know is that I need the product and that's all.”


She noted that usually when people buy from her they do not check for those details, unless the radio or television broadcasts that the product is bad or fake, she does sell them.


Kwabina Allotey, a student at Kimbu Secondary and Technical School said he checks out those details due to past experience.


“I bought a drink one time not knowing it was expired and was admitted at the hospital for a week, so now I check. Some traders get angry with me for returning their product but for my health sake.”


Ivy Amoah, a senior school graduate was also of the view that she sometimes looked out for the details especially if it's a drink.


When we surveyed our markets we realised that majority of market women sell on the ground and a few where found with their wares on tables, stalls, baskets and basins.


According the Consumer protection laws, it is part of government’s regulation to protect the rights of consumers particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue, such as food.


Consumer protection is linked to the idea of consumer rights, and to the formation of consumer organisations, which help consumers make better choices in the marketplace and get help with consumer complaints.


Consumer interests could also be protected by promoting competition in the markets, which directly and indirectly serve consumers, consistent with economic efficiency.


In an interview with some market women, they indicated that they usually sell on the floor because there are no spaces in the main market although they pay taxes.


Some market women also said they would have loved it if their products were packaged specifically, fruits, vegetables, tubers, fish so that they could gain more profit as compared to the current trend of buying and selling at the markets.


The Consumer Protection strictly spells out that consumers have the right to be educated about their rights and the right to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations.


The checking of details does apply to pharmaceutical products as well and most people are not checking the expiration of drugs and whether it was the right prescription or not.


Madam Estel Mensah, a mother said she saw the growth of vaginal warts on her genital and went to the hospital to check it out and the Nurse who treated prescribed a medication that was wrong and could have terminated her one month old pregnancy.


“I bought the drug but before sending it the hospital for it to be applied I read the leaflet in it and there I saw that I cannot use hence am very particular about checking drugs when I buy them since you can harm or heal yourself that way.”


Dorothy Thompson, a Nurse said it very important for everyone to check the expiration and production dates of products both canned, sachet and non-packaged.


She said with canned products one needs to be extra careful because fake products come into the market.


She said she would also advise consumers to take critical note of labels and brand names.


Mrs Thompson said pharmaceutical products are usually checked before sent to various pharmacies but it pays to be concerned on these details because for all you know you may be allergic to some ingredients of the medicine.


She said in relation to tubers, fruits, vegetables, fish one need to check the texture, the skin, the colour and the weight of it as well as the environment it is being sold to be extra sure.


Moreover, with vegetables like cabbage, carrots, lettuces the ones that are bad usually softens at the parts and the colour changes as well.


Usually with fresh fish like tilapia, the public needs to look out for the redness and freshness of the outer and inner skin.


However with smoked, fried, cooked fish one need to look out for smell, freshness, texture and the skin colour.


Ms Juanita Sampah, a Nurse said medicines should be stored in stored that are very cool and dry not to distort chemical properties of the drug.


She explained that usually drug stores in at our various vicinities are not air-conditioned and may be very hot and this might cause adverse damage on the user of that medicine.


Ms Sampah reiterated that anytime one visits the pharmacy to buy drugs, one must check for expiration dates, production dates and the components so that in case allergic reactions the fellow could notify a health provider before usage and doing that is very essential to well-being as well.


Accordingly preservatives and antioxidants may be incorporated into some food and drug products to extend their shelf life.


Some companies use induction sealing and vacuum/oxygen-barrier pouches to assist in the extension of the shelf life of their products where oxygen causes the loss.


So one must always remember to check expiration, production, trademark to help ensure health cautiousness to prevent the numerous health concerns that rise up.


GNA