Authorities failing to control sale of foods, cosmetics flagged as dangerous

By Admin 17 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
17 October 2023, Sittwe
 
Authorities are failing to control the sale of food and beauty products banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Arakan State, according to residents.
 
The FDA’s head office released a list of 19 brands of packed food on October 13 that it says is dangerous for human consumption. Two of the brands — Shan Malay fruit jam and Shar Yin Myat spicy plum — are produced in Arakan State. The FDA says their consumption can lead to stomach problems and cancer.
 
“Authorities should take action against the sale of food packed in an attractive way, particularly for the sake of children. The FDA should also pay serious attention. Harsh legal punishment must be given to those who produce and sell banned food,” said Ko Kyaw Min Tun from Sittwe.
 
Beauty products banned by the FDA are also widely available in the Arakan State market. The FDA says those products are often contaminated with steroids that can cause itchiness and swelling with short-term use, and can lead to skin cancer over the long term.
 
“Even the biggest grocery stores in Arakan State are selling cosmetics not approved by the FDA,”  said a Mrauk-U resident who asked for anonymity. “As those products are cheap, they are mainly used by low-income families. The FDA needs to handle it properly.”
 
Local residents are calling on authorities to crack down on producers in addition to targeting sellers.
 
Grocery store owner Ko Nay Myo Lin from Sittwe said: “There is a need to handle the source, whether the products come from abroad or are produced domestically. It is not easy to control after products get into the market.”
 
The Arakan State FDA has said it is working together with the relevant departments to put a stop to the sale of banned food products.
 
“For first time violations, we ask sellers to sign a document stating that they will not sell again. We fine them for a second-time violation. And we will file a lawsuit for third-time violations, and destroy confiscated goods,” said Dr. Tin Ko Win, head of the Arakan State FDA.
 
The Arakan State FDA has urged people to notify it if they come across the sale of banned foods and cosmetics in the Arakan State market.