HEALTH HAZARD! - Contaminated Cool Aid on Sale

 

By: Lewis K. Glay

Forum
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted February 7, 2006

 

Visiting the Peace Industry Cool Aid production site between Vai and Clara Towns on Bushrod Island could prove public accusations in recent times about the health hazard looming over the ignorant consumers as a result of the contaminated products being manufactured by the industry.

On bare ground, mass production of various colors of cool aid is being carried out between contractors and employees who use unprotected hands in processing the commodity daily.

Amidst dilapidated vehicles and other outdated engines which presuppose that the site is a garage, available dirt, engine oil and flies are enough evidence to authenticate claims by critics of the industry that its products are indeed contaminated and hazardous to health.

However, the Block Manager of the entity, George N. Doe said their products are quite safe for public consumption, adding, “The place is okay.”

According to him, once people are using sugar in the production process, it is obvious that files would come around. He explained that by 2 or 3 p.m. when production is over, they use spraying machine to clean the area for next working day.

Amidst threat from workers preventing THE FORUM reporter from taking the photo of the main unkempt site, Mr. Doe also noted that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare accredited their industry thereby indicating that there is no health hazard that could panic the consuming public.

Commenting on the issue of dirt, he argued that once people come and go out of the area, there will always be dirt and it is because of this reality that they will also use spraying machine to make the place clean.

The Block Manager also disclosed that the work used to be done in a production room, but due to limited space to accommodate the employees and contractors, production has been brought in an open place and management is trying to enlarge the site.

He told THE FORUM that about 6-7 persons are permanent employees of the entity who earn at least US$50.00 monthly while 30 persons serve as contractors on a daily basis with minimum wages of L$150 - 200 depending on the job titles.

Notwithstanding, the overall Manager James N. Keden could not be reached for comment as he was said to be out of office at the time.

Also, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare could not however authenticate the claims by the industry that it has given it green light for the production of said commodity in such a manner and condition as authorities were not available for comment up to press time.
Investigation continues.

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