Food and Agriculture Engineer Consultant, Maxwell Danso, says the lifespan of food, particularly cereals, can be extended.

Explaining the situation surrounding the alleged expired rice case revealed by Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the engineer stated that there is nothing wrong with extending the "best before" dates on food products.

He said, "Yes, it is possible to extend it, especially when it is stored in a safe place, kept properly, and is of good quality; it can be extended," he responded when Joy Fm's Kojo Brace asked if an extension was possible.

Mr Danso further explained, "When it comes to grains, before you extend the date, you need to check a few things to ensure that the grain is wholesome or suitable for consumption."

He said that before extending the best before date, one should look out for signs of insect contamination, moisture contamination, and an increase in fat content.

He added, "A best before date indicates when the food will return to its optimal quality, but when it comes to an expiry date, it means that after that date, the food is no longer considered safe to eat."

The Food Engineer made these comments on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, November 21, during a discussion with Kojo Brace about the expired rice case exposed by Mr Ablakwa.

Read also: FDA explains extension of best-before date for ‘expired’ rice

Last week, Mr Ablakwa alleged that the Free Senior High School Secretariat distributed 22,000 bags of 50kg "expired" rice to secondary schools across the nation in February of this year.

According to the MP, the act constitutes a "crime" and was committed by Lamens Africa Investment Limited, the distributor of the rice.

The company allegedly repacked the expired rice at the National Buffer Stock warehouse in the Ashanti Region at the beginning of this year. Mr Ablakwa blamed the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for being complicit in the act.

In response, the FDA stated that the rice was wholesome and safe for consumption.

Read also: ‘Expired’ Rice Scandal: FDA confirms rice was safe for consumption after rigorous lab tests

Mr Ablakwa further questioned that if the food was indeed safe, why did the FDA fine the company? In reply, the FDA clarified that Lamens Africa Investment Limited was fined for violating regulations, not for trading in unwholesome food.

Read also: ‘Expired’ rice: Lamens Investments GH¢100k fine was for regulatory violations – FDA clarifies

In this case, the rice has "best before date" and not "expiring date", FDA stated but the legislator disagreed and suggesting prosecution of all parties involved in the matter.