By Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The sale and consumption of expired food products in The Gambia is raising public health concerns, particularly in Serrekunda Market, where shoppers are increasingly seeking cheaper goods amid rising food prices.
A section of the market, informally known as “Expired Junction,” is reportedly selling discounted food items past their recommended dates. Health experts warn that consuming such products can expose people to foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria, mould, and toxins, which are not always detectable by smell or taste.
Research indicates that perishable foods kept beyond their recommended dates pose the highest risk, potentially causing stomach infections, vomiting, diarrhoea, and other complications. While not all products past their “best-before” date are unsafe, experts stress the importance of understanding the difference between “expiry” and “best-before” labels for consumer safety.
Seedy Njie, Public Relations Officer of the Serrekunda Market Committee, described the sale of expired goods as “unsafe and worrying,” noting that heavy vehicular traffic in the area further endangers vendors and customers.
“If one were to conduct research on the consumption of expired food products sold here, it would likely reveal that such products can be a threat to human health,” Njie said.
Njie also pointed to the country’s lack of adequate food testing facilities to verify product safety, and called on the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) to intensify inspections, especially on imported goods. He warned that unusually low prices, such as cane drinks sold far below their usual D50 cost, could indicate that products are expired or near expiry.
Some consumers said they have little choice but to buy cheaper items. Fatou Touray, a shopper, noted that rising food costs leave many families with limited options ahead of Ramadan. Vendors, however, maintain that not all products sold are expired. Modou Lamin Sowe, a trader at the junction, said sellers rely on assurances from suppliers regarding product safety.
Njie urged the public to remain vigilant by checking expiration dates and understanding the shelf life of foods before purchase.
With economic pressures mounting, authorities caution that the trade-off between affordability and safety should not compromise public health.