The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has announced that multiple shipments of food products were denied entry at the Nimule border in Eastern Equatoria State due to failure to meet required quality and safety regulations.
Stringent inspections carried out by the bureau at all entry points into the country resulted in the decision to safeguard public health and ensure that only safe food items are accessible to consumers in South Sudan.
Laboratory tests conducted on maize flour and maize grains detected aflatoxin levels above permissible limits, leading to the immediate re-exportation of two trucks to their country of origin. Aflatoxin contamination presents severe health hazards such as liver damage and cancer.
Furthermore, a shipment of beans was rejected after inspectors found live insect infestation, determining the beans as unsuitable for trade or consumption.
The SSNBS reiterated its dedication to consumer safety, equitable trade practices, and prevention of substandard goods infiltrating the market. Traders and importers were reminded about the significance of adhering to national and international quality standards to avoid financial setbacks and disruptions in the supply chain.
The Nimule border crossing serves as a vital passage for food imports from nearby countries, underscoring the necessity of recent enforcement actions in fortifying consumer protection and promoting improved handling and storage of food products prior to export.
The SSNBS assured the public that regular inspections will persist weekly at Nimule and other entry points to avert unsafe food products from infiltrating South Sudan’s supply chain.