Broken product warning on Ramadan packages

With the arrival of Ramadan, the demand for food parcels from charities, companies and individuals increased. These packages are distributed to needy people or their employees by companies.

Many marketplaces and e-commerce platforms have started selling Ramadan packages, which include many products, with various campaigns. This intensity experienced in the production of food packages brings with it some abuse.

Aziz Koçal, president of the Federation of Consumer Associations, said it is important for citizens to check the expiration date of food, especially those who received an aid package.

ATTENTION DATE OF CONSUMPTION

Koçal said: “If there is an expired product in the aid package, citizens should warn the person or organization that provides this aid. These aid boxes can be distributed by municipalities, political parties, charities or companies. These institutions or people will also warn the organizations that deliver the aid packages, so that such situations do not repeat themselves.

Pointing out that there may be products in the aid package that have not passed their expiration date, but there are a few days left before that date, Koçal stated that these products should also be consumed before said date.

Koçal drew attention to the fact that the institutions and people who donate or donate must warn the places where they have the package prepared, about the products, and said:

“This organization or individuals can personally inspect these places and wait while the package is prepared. The institutions, organizations or people who help here should not choose the places where they obtain packages because they offer cheap prices. The expiration date of the products placed in the boxes must not exceed the expiration date and must not be an over-the-counter product. Let’s not endanger the health of citizens when we say no. In particular, it should be noted that these containers must be made from products whose expiration date or recommended consumption has not approached or exceeded. Examples of this have been found in recent years. It has been reflected to the public that dry foods that are past their expiration date are repackaged and a new date is printed on them.”

Emphasizing that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and local governments should intensify inspections on this issue, Koçal said inspections have a deterrent effect on such matters.

‘SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM TRADE’

Stating that the demand for food products has increased due to Ramadan, Koçal said, “Especially chain markets, markets and companies that sell food products should be inspected. Manufacturing sites must be subject to special inspection. Manufacturers and sellers who will endanger the health of citizens must be dealt with. Imposing a fine is not enough, it is not a deterrent, it is necessary to take deterrent measures to follow the sequence that leads to the ban on trade.

Noting that the number of counterfeit and adulterated products on the market has increased, Koçal said:

“Free sale products in the market are in the majority. Even in chain markets, there are unbranded and unknown products. Consumers should also be wary of such products. Citizens get the goods they need instead of a large number of products.

You should buy so many products. Storing the product in the closet does not mean that it will not spoil. A product also has a shelf life in the closet. When buying the product, pay attention to the expiration dates and recommended consumption. When buying packaged foods, factors such as storage temperature and content are also important. Let’s also pay attention to the difference between the shelf price and the box price. Due to the intensity of the markets, we cannot always follow them.

Let’s review the chips at home. If the market does not reimburse, let’s seek our rights in the consumer arbitration committees with documents. Let us definitely seek our rights by not refraining from denouncing all kinds of negativities to the corresponding authorities.”​ (AA)