UN Food agency denies importing expired foodstuff to Somalia

The World Food Programme, WFP, has denied it imported expired food stuff to Somalia a day after authorities here seized what it said was expired aid set to be distributed by the UN agency.

In response Wednesday, WFP Somalia communications officer, Laila Ali told Goobjoog News the UN body does not believe any of its supplies in Mogadishu had expired but noted investigations were already underway to establish if they may have been damaged or poorly stored.

“We do not believe that any of the food in our Mogadishu facilities is past its expiration date, but are checking whether any of the commodities may have been improperly stored and damaged,” said Ali.

The response comes amid investigations by Somali authorities on the consignment which was destined for Bardhere in Gedo region southern Somalia.

Immigration department director Abdullahi Gafow told the media Wednesday investigations were already underway on the matter. The food stuff included powder milk, maize, cooking oil among others.

WFP has been involved in coordinating and supplying emergency relief aid to conflict and drought affected communities in various parts of Somalia for several years.

Ali said WFP was putting all measures in place to ensure aid supplies meet requisite health standards before they ate distributed to people.

“The well-being of the people we assist is our top priority, and we take every possible measure to see that the food we distribute meets the highest standards of quality and safety,” noted Ali.