Following allegations about the dumping of expired sardines by SABCO Fishing Company at Bormeh in Freetown, a team from the National Consumer Protection Commission (NCPC), led by CEO Lawrence Bassie, visited the production site of the company at Jui on Monday 26th August 2024.
During the visit, the head of the company explained that the allegations made against them were false, calculated to tarnish their image and force consumers and their numerous customers to seek other alternatives.
She explained that what they have been dumping at Bormeh by Ferry Junction are the waste products, like the head and entries of the fish, and this has not been done in secret, but rather with the full knowledge and permission from the Freetown City Council and the Environment Protection Agency. The said waste is said to provide…. for the site.
During the visit, the team was taken to the company’s waste room, where some consignment of waste products are being collected for later disposal. The team visited other production sites including storage of the finished products.
It was further disclosed by their technical expert that the sardines are soaked in oil in the cans, and are to last for about four years after the production date, adding that the company has not been in operation that long.
Speaking to the owners of the company, CEO Bassie maintained that as a Commission, it must ensure the safety of food consumed in the country, and upon hearing of the said allegations, he decided to get first-hand information about the whole issue, therefore, decided to visit the company with his team to get the side of the company and physically ascertain the veracity of the claims seen on the newspapers and social media.
He noted that the Commission does not thrive on hearsay, but believes in physical verification to make informed decisions.
