THE CONSUMERS’ Association yesterday accused the government over the discovery of spoiled ham circulating on the market.
Speaking at a news conference after meeting with opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades, Consumer Association chairman Petros Markou told reporters he found it unacceptable that state authorities would not conduct proper inspections on food products, thus endangering the health of the average consumer. Markou then called on all consumers to demand their rights when sold a product that is either spoiled or has exceeded its sell-by date.
A government announcement released on Sunday warned of spoiled ham circulating on the market and urged consumers immediately to return the products or throw them away. The announcement also stated that 165 kilos of the 180 kilos of ham had been returned to the factory, while the 15 remaining kilos were still missing.
The government statement said the ham, produced by Kitromilides Ltd in Ergates, was infected with the bacteria Listeria Monocytogenes, a rare and usually non-life threatening food bacteria.
According to doctors, the symptoms of this particularly rare bacterium are variable and are dependant on the susceptibility of the person affected. Some people experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, convulsions, chills, backache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting. Others may even experience pyrexia, meningitis, septicaemia and spontaneous abortion.
In the past, Listeria Monocytogenes has been associated with such foods as milk, raw vegetables, coleslaw, soft cheeses, smoked mussels, and meat p?t?s.
Meanwhile Anastassiades and Markou also blamed the government for the recent increase in prices, spurred by rising fuel costs.
“Unfortunately it is the government which is to blame for the recent surge in prices that has been brought about by the increases in petrol prices. The government should have properly prepared for the increase in international fuel prices so as to have protected the consumer. It was proved that the consumer was not put as top priority,” said Anastassiades.
Agreeing with the DISY leader, Markou said that the Ministry of Commerce should take better responsibility for the problem, adding that more investigations should be made as to why prices had increased so dramatically.
“We believe that the advisory committee of the Ministry of Commerce should look deeper into this matter because some of the increases are very large.”
