KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar and neighboring Zabul province have set on fire and destroyed 10 tons of expired and low-quality food and medicine over the past two days, officials said Thursday.
In the latest crackdown on expired medicine and foodstuff, the authorities collected 3 tons of outdated and low-quality food and medicine from Kandahar's provincial capital Kandahar city and adjoining districts and burned them publicly, provincial government spokesman Mawlawi Ezam said.
Similarly, a day earlier on Wednesday, the provincial government authorities in Zabul province collected 7 tons of expired and low-quality medicine and food last week and set them on fire publicly in the provincial capital Qalat on Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Zabihullah Jawhar confirmed.
Authorities have also warned that legal action will be taken against anyone caught selling substandard goods.
The action, according to the officials, is part of a broader effort by Afghan authorities to ensure the safety of medicines and food items. Similar burnings of outdated drugs and food have been conducted in other cities, including the capital Kabul in recent months. ■
