Categories
Journalistic Survey
Articles
Reportage
Analitic
Photo Reportage
Exclusive
Interview
Foreign Media about Georgia
Editorial
Position
Reader's opinion
Blog
Themes
Children's Rights
Women's Rights
Justice
Refugees/IDPs
Minorities
Media
Army
Health
Corruption
Elections
Education
Penitentiary
Religion
Others

Georgians Buy Putrid and Dangerous Food Products in Bazaars and Shops

December 23, 2008

The Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia informs that in the countries of transitional economics like Georgia food safety is complex and multi-faceted problem. Georgian has one of the highest rates of food borne diseases in the world, as the rate has increased from medium to high. Fast social and economical changes are connected with development of economics and transitional period and this increases food associated risks. Food safety and control systems face difficulties in such situation.

Amendments were introduced to the Georgian Law on Food Safety and Quality twice since December 2006. According to these amendments those articles of the above-mentioned law that prescribe food safety state control in food enterprises were suspended till January 1, 2010. As a consequence of this suspension the schemes of checking, enterprises have not been able to maintain high food safety standards, and now state has only carries out selective food monitoring in shops to the end of 2010.

Consequently, the risk is high that Georgian food market will be easily accessible for those products that had been rejected by other countries, are cheap and falsified and might be dangerous for human life and health. “Such cheap products may compete with local products and may win in the market because they are rather inexpensive. Consequently, consumers’ health, rights and the country economics are damaged,” stated Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia.

In other market economy the countries, the priority is placed on both quality and price of products and related services. As Georgian population can not pay much, the only consideration taken in terms of competition is the low price. The liberal politics of the country, non existence of food safety control stimulates unconscientiously entrepreneurial to falsify products that can have deadly results.

Consumers are the least protected, as they buy product without knowing its chemical composition, technology of the production, ingredients, terms and expiry dates. Consumers are considered as “blind” buyers under such circumstances. Usually it is only after buying the food that consumers try to find out whether the food is good or not. Society must realize that food safety and quality providence is of significant social importance. This is also important for food production business, because increased food quality increases the effectiveness of economics and indicates to the level of development of the country and helps to maintain and expand a higher level of scientific and technical progress.

Media News 

News