GBARNGA, Bong County - The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has shut down Branch #17 of Banjah Frozen Food in Gbarnga after uncovering what officials describe as dangerous and unwholesome goods stored at the facility, in a move signaling a renewed crackdown on unsafe food practices across the county.
The closure follows an inspection conducted on March 10, 2026, by the Ministry's inspectorate team, which discovered several cartons of frozen fish contaminated and unfit for human consumption.
Providing details to reporters, the Senior Commerce Inspector in Bong County, G. David Mentuah, said the situation was alarming and required swift intervention.
"We observed that half of the goods here are not consumable. Predicated upon that, we locked the place on March 10, but the manager was nowhere to be found," Mentuah disclosed.
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Contaminated goods
According to him, the discovery was made during routine inspections, after which the Ministry engaged the company's management and instructed them to turn over the expired goods for proper disposal. However, authorities say the company failed to fully comply with the directive.
Public Health Threat
Since the facility's closure, the contaminated goods reportedly remained in poor storage conditions, creating environmental pollution and raising serious health concerns for residents in surrounding communities.
An initial attempt by inspectors on Saturday, March 28, to remove and dispose of the goods proved unsuccessful due to an overpowering and hazardous odor emanating from the facility.
"We had no option but to withdraw and return at a later time," Mentuah said at the time.
However, in a follow-up operation on Sunday, March 29, the Ministry successfully removed the spoiled goods for disposal.
"The smell here is dangerous for our health and everybody. We will bury them all," he added, confirming that the contaminated products will be dumped and buried to prevent further risks.
Sanctions and Further Actions
Authorities say the company will face fines and other penalties before it can resume operations. The case has also been forwarded to the Ministry's headquarters in Monrovia for further administrative action.
Mentuah acknowledged ongoing challenges in enforcing regulations against expired and unwholesome goods but maintained that the Ministry remains committed to safeguarding public health.
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"It's challenging to enforce the Ministry regulations against expired goods or oldsome products, but we will fine them and discharge the goods," he said.
Wider Crackdown Looms
Meanwhile, the Bong County Commerce Inspectorate has issued a strong warning to businesses operating across the county, vowing strict enforcement measures against violators.
Inspector Mentuah disclosed that the Ministry will soon commence its second-quarter inspection exercises, targeting both small and large businesses.
He stressed that any establishment found dealing in contaminated or expired products will face immediate closure.
"Contaminated goods are dangerous to consumers' health, and we will not hesitate to act," he warned.
The latest action underscores growing concerns over food safety standards in the county, as authorities intensify efforts to protect consumers and ensure compliance with national regulations.
