Police in the Ashanti Region have begun investigations into circumstances under which some expired products from food and beverage manufacturing company, Nestle Ghana were allegedly distributed to the public on Tuesday.

A group of traders at the Kejetia market complained about the expired products after they had purchased them from a promotional tour embarked on by the company.

Leader of the group Kofi Dubai who spoke to journalists said one of the traders noticed that some Maggi shrimp cubes and other products they bought from the promotion had expired in March.

He said the officials of the company with the pretense of giving free gifts sold the expired products at cheaper prices knowing fully well that they had expired.  

A sachet of an expired Maggi shrimp product

A sachet of Maggi shrimp which is expected to be sold at Ȼ18.00 was sold for Ȼ5.00 at the promotion.

The angry traders therefore proceeded to the promotional grounds to confront the officials there and question them about the expired products. The group claimed they did not get a favourable answer to their grievances so they reported the case to the police.

The police followed through and picked up the 18 sales personnel and seized their equipment.

The Ashanti Regional Commander for the Striking Force, Christopher Klomegah said the police, in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have begun investigations into the incident.

The sales personnel of the company have been subsequently released.

However, officials of Nestle Ghana have refuted the claims by the traders.

A statement copied to Joy News from the Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Departement of the company indicates that “no Nestle or marketing agency staff has been arrested” and that they were only sent to the police station to answer questions following reports that expired Maggi products were being promoted.

It also stated that the promotion “was an activation campaign with food operators. They asked their customers to bring close to expiry Maggi Powder Chicken (sachets) for exchange against fresh stock”.

 

Below is the entire statement...

Allegation of sale of expired MAGGI

On Tuesday, 14^th April 2014 a number of FM stations in Accra and other regional Capitals alleged that Nestle MAGGI © was conducting a promotion with expired products at Kejetia, Kumasi. It was also alleged that sixteen Nestle and marketing agency staff had been arrested by the Rapid Deployment Force of the Police in Kumasi.

The allegation relates to a promotion activity run by Nestle with its food operator customers. Nestle offered them to exchange any close-to-expiry products they may have in order to ensure the freshness of our products to consumers.

No Nestle or marketing agency staff has been arrested. They answered questions from the personnel of the Ghana Police Service following reports of expired Maggi products being promoted.

Nestle Ghana can assure our consumers and customers that Nestle is not running any promotion with expired Maggi products.

The campaign was an activation campaign with food operators. They asked their customers to bring close-to- expiry Maggi Powder Chicken (sachets) for exchange against fresh stock.

The quality and safety of our products are non-negotiable priorities for our company and we have a policy of removing and destroying all expired products found in retail outlets.

In line with our Corporate Business Principles, we always comply with local legislation and regulatory requirements wherever we operate.

 

Nestle Ghana Ltd

Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Department