The safety of foods, beverages and other consumable products with peeling, stained or discoloured labels cannot be guaranteed; hence, the public is advised to stay away from such products, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned.

In a public advisory issued on Monday, August 17, the nation’s safety regulator indicated that such products may pose serious health risks to consumers due to the risk of contamination.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to accept, consume, sell, offer for sale, or distribute any food or other regulated products recovered from floodwaters.”

“The FDA cannot vouch for the safety or quality of these products, as they may have been contaminated by floodwaters and mishandling, which could pose a serious risk to public health,” parts of the statement said.

The warning comes after the June 29 flooding in parts of the country, during which several people were seen picking up items washed away from various locations, including warehouses, and taking them home for consumption.

According to the Authority, floodwater often carries sewage, refuse and other harmful contaminants that can compromise packaged products, even when their contents appear intact.

“Floodwaters often carry sewage, chemicals, other waste, and harmful microorganisms that can contaminate food, drinking water, food preparation surfaces, and food storage facilities,” it added.

According to the Authority, consuming such products could expose consumers to diseases including cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other waterborne infections.

“The floods have therefore increased the risk of food and water contamination, creating conditions that can lead to foodborne illnesses and outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, etc.,” the FDA noted.

The FDA also urged the public to be cautious of food and beverages sold from unusual locations or hawked in bulk without a clear source. It encouraged consumers to purchase only from licensed and reputable outlets, adding the safety slogan: “If you are not sure, don’t eat! Don’t purchase!”

“Discard any food that has come into contact with floodwater. Drink only safe water. Boil water for at least five (5) minutes if its safety is uncertain.”

The Authority further directed households and shop owners to safely dispose of any food or beverage stock that came into contact with floodwater, warning that affected products should not be kept for consumption or sale.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers whose products were damaged by flooding have also been instructed not to wash, repack, relabel or resell the affected stock under any circumstances.

Instead, the products should be quarantined, and the nearest FDA office notified for verification and safe disposal.

The FDA warned that failure to comply with the directive constitutes an offence and will attract sanctions under the law.