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CAA renews raids after outdated cheese stocks found at warehouse
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has deployed special teams to raid and inspect shops and supermarkets after a large stock of cheese which had its expiry date lapsed, was recovered at a warehouse belonging to Lanka Milk Foods Company at Welisara recently.
CAA officials of Gampaha found 2,880 packs of outdated ‘Happy Cow’ cheese stocked at the warehouse, when they raided the place on a tip-off that 12,000 kilograms of milk powder has been stored in order to create a shortage in the market.
“The Legal Division of the CAA is presently studying the report submitted by us. Based on their advice legal action will be taken against the company for stocking outdated cheese among the cheese stocks that were saleable. As cheese is consumed mostly by children, this is definitely putting their health at risk,” said Asela Bandara, Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs and Information.
He said the management had stated that it was planned to destroy the stocks.
“The expiry date was October this year. At least the outdated stocks could have been separated from the fresh ones. This stock was at the warehouse of a leading importer,” he said adding that action will be also taken over storing thousands of kilograms of milk powder without being released to the market.
Meanwhile the CAA has also commenced raids island-wide ahead of the festive season.
This week in another raid in Kompannaweediya, the CAA recovered large stocks of fake chillie and turmeric powder manufactured by mixing outdated watana flour with red and yellow fabric dye.
Officials also found 2,000 litres of sauce stored in empty 5-10 litre tile cleaner/ liquid detergent containers to be distributed to restaurants and other small-scale food outlets. On Thursday, the CAA seized large stocks of stale chicken and pork, rotting potatoes and Bombay onions from a warehouse in Ja-ela.
“The outdated items had been discarded from supermarkets. At the time of the raid, the items were being re-packed to be sold. All the items were not suitable for human consumption,” said Mr. Bandara.
The value of the items was about five million rupees. 3,000 kilos of stale chicken, 300 kilograms of Bombay onions, 2,000 kilograms of potatoes and 500 kgs of pork were among the items to be sold both to food centres and to be sold at markets to the unsuspecting public during the festive season.
Two persons involved in the re-packaging have been arrested.