Freetown, July 13, 09 (MOHs)- Deputy Health   and Sanitation Minister, Mohamed Daudis Koroma has interacted with the Management of the Sierra Leone Brewery- Limited on the way forward in getting rid of expired or Best Before end of date’’ Beer products from the open markets.

Deputy-Minister-(center).

Addressing Management in their conference hall at Wellington, the Deputy Minister reminded his audience about the recent proliferation of Heineken Beer referred to as “Best Before May -June 2009 Date”, and warned against the sale of the said brand to the public.

Mr. Koroma who was acting upon report received from the Ministry’s Environmental Health and Sanitation Division said according to his understanding, any foodstuff declared expired or sold to the public after the “Best Before Date”, could be harmful and disastrous to human health.

Inside the Warehouse

He told Management that when there is a problem of health that has to do with human, it is a problem for the Ministry,and warned all Businessmen importing food items to ensure that expired items are declared to the Ministry for destruction.

The Deputy Minister described the Sierra Leone Brewery as a reputable company noting its resourceful contribution to Government, hoping that they would continue to maintain standards.

Responding, the Supply Chain Manager, Mr. Karangwa Pascal, the Human Resource Manager Albert Collier and the Finance Manager, Mr. George Padi told the Minister and team, that never at anytime had they sold expired drinks to the public, adding that they would not like to fall below the good reputation made by the company over the years, but rather to maintain standards.

Sierra-Leone-Brewery-Building

They agreed having in their possession stocks of what they referred to as “ Best Before May and June 2009  products, promising that they would comply with the  Health Ministry’s mandate to destroy any brand of drink under their Authority after a Micro Biological Laboratory Test.

Making his contribution, Heineken Representative, Rob Grootenhuijis underscored the importance of the Deputy Minister’s visit, and assured him that they would remain committed to the Health policy of the country.

Stock Before Used

The Deputy Minister and team, comprising the Office of the Diaspora, the Health Ministry, and the Independent Hygiene/ Occupational Health and Safety Unit in Freetown, as part of the visit, where led on a conducted tour to the Company’s Warehouse where they inspected huge quantity of cartoons of Heineken Beer, labelled “ Best Before May and June 2009 Dates”

JAK/MOHS/SLENA.