WFP TO FACE COURT OVER FOOD POISONING SAGA IN NORTHERN UGANDA

By Darious Magara and Wilber Muhwezi
www.mknewslink.com
In Kololo
The World Food Program (WFP) and others face a legal action over suspected contaminated food they supplied in Napak and Amudat districts of the northern part of Uganda.
In a notice of intention to sue written to the Country Director WFP (Uganda) Mr. El Khidir Daloum, the director legal and corporate Affairs of Anti- Counterfeit Network Africa (ACN) Fred Muwema said we have learnt that your organization has been involved in the supply of supper cereal also described as corn soya blend fortified food in Napak and Amudat which are found in Karamoja.

A four paged notice dated 20th march, 2019 also adds that “we have also read media reports where you have confirmed that WFP suspended the distribution of the above impugned food last week because it was suspected to be poisoned or contaminated. This would amount to
counterfeit or fake food.
It adds the reports also indicate that three people are believed to have died due to suspected food poisoning and more 250 people have been admitted in various health centres with symptoms including
confusion, vomiting, headache, high fever and abdominal pain after consuming the impugned food.
Muwema said that it is not a mere coincidence that WFP suspended distribution of the impugned food at the time when only people who had consumed the impugned food were the ones dying or falling sick.
“This is a very serious food safety incident that appears to be evidently in breach of the Codex Alimentarius International food standards 1963(as amended)”
ACN had demanded a report from WFP which will furnish them with details of information to see whether due diligence was carried out on the supplier and whether the standards expected in the distributionprocess were adhered to or if they have supported the affected families.
Speaking to our reporters from his office at Kololo today, Muwema said that they intend to institute a legal case of negligence, causing injury and death against WFP, government and a supplier who is a turkey company.
He added that they will also be seeking a court order calling for an independent audit into the matter and damages for the injured plus people who have died as a result of consuming suspected poisoned food.
Meanwhile government through the central public health laboratories is investigating samples of the food to ascertain the cause of death.
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