NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Food Authority of Liberia (FAL) says it is intensifying market surveillance and enforcement efforts to strengthen food safety and protect consumers from unwholesome, expired and counterfeit food products.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
FAL Director General Hon. Precellia Cherue said the authority is carrying out risk-based inspections and unannounced market surveillance operations to identify non-compliant food products before they reach consumers.
The interventions have resulted in the detection, seizure and disposal of unwholesome products, including contaminated tomato products and substandard energy drinks.
FAL was established under the National Food and Feed Safety Quality Act of 2019 and serves as Liberia’s statutory regulator for food and feed safety across the supply chain.
Its mandate covers the production, processing, importation, distribution and retail sale of food and feed products. The authority is empowered to conduct inspections, verify compliance and take enforcement action where necessary.
Focus on enforcement
The authority said its current priorities include intensified spot checks at food processing, manufacturing and storage facilities.
It is also verifying product registration and labelling requirements as part of efforts to curb deceptive practices and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
FAL said laboratory testing and analysis are being conducted on food samples to identify expired, counterfeit and adulterated products.
Businesses found violating food safety regulations may face enforcement measures, including product recalls, seizures, facility closures and prosecution.
The authority also highlighted its role in responding to public health emergencies.
It cited a recent incident in which eight people reportedly fell unconscious after consuming contaminated food, saying such cases require swift regulatory intervention to protect the public and prevent further exposure.
FAL stressed, however, that the seizure of a particular batch of a product does not automatically mean that an entire product line or category is unsafe.
It said decisions are based on an evidence-based process involving physical inspections, document reviews, laboratory testing and risk assessments.
Public urged to remain vigilant
FAL is urging consumers and traders to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing or selling suspicious food products.
The authority has also appealed to vendors and importers to refrain from distributing expired or adulterated goods, warning that such practices could have serious consequences for public health.
FAL acknowledged the need to increase public awareness about its legal mandate, regulatory procedures and the safeguards available to consumers.
To expand its regulatory reach across Liberia, the authority said it is working with key institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the National Food and Feed Regulatory Authority (NAFRA) and the Liberia Cluster Systems Agency (LCSA).
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected cases involving expired, contaminated or otherwise unsafe food products to the Food Authority of Liberia at the former Ministry of Health Maternity Center on Capital Bypass in Monrovia.
FAL said consumer awareness and responsible trade practices remain critical to protecting public health and restoring confidence in Liberia’s food markets.
