Consistent controls
State Secretary of the National Alliance George Pantophlet says that it is no public secret that as a former member of the Island Council of St. Maarten he has been hammering on the issue of controls. It was just recently that a wholesaler was found selling products for which the establishment was not qualified. To make matters worse this practice has been ongoing for some years now. The Inspector of pharmaceuticals is busy working on measures that will be taken against the perpetrator. We have no idea how many persons health have been affected by this. Now health and hygiene inspectors found some Supermarkets selling spoiled and expired products. Again how long this has been taking place is not known. That fines should be issued against these businesses should not be even a topic for discussion. They have broken the laws of food safety and endangered the health of the people of St. Maarten. What have me extremely concerned is that the persons most affected are those with low income because these items are sold at discounted prices and therefore more attractive. I want to applaud the person or persons who launched a complaint with the competent department and the speedy response by the inspectors to this urgent matter. I will continue to emphasize frequent controls. If human resources and equipment are needed these should be provided forthwith. Nothing is more important than our health.