The Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia (FSQA) has denied entry to a five-truck consignment of Irish potatoes and ordered the goods returned after an inspection revealed extensive spoilage and missing documentation.
On 7 October 2026, FSQA officers examined the shipment at the Amdalai Border Post. They found widespread fungal growth, visible spoilage, a strong off-odor, sprouting in numerous bags, and poor hygienic conditions. The consignment also lacked a phytosanitary certificate, raising further compliance concerns under import rules.
Following the findings, authorities rejected the load and barred it from entering the country in line with regulatory procedures. FSQA stated that the action reflects its commitment to keeping deteriorated food off the market and protecting public health.
The authority also issued a consumer reminder: avoid potatoes that are rotten, moldy, or significantly deteriorated. Green, bitter or heavily sprouted potatoes should likewise be avoided because of the risk of elevated levels of naturally occurring toxins.
FSQA said it continues to strengthen inspection and regulatory controls so that food entering The Gambia meets required safety and quality standards.
Human rights advocate Madi Jobarteh welcomed the interception but called for greater transparency. “I commend the Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia (FSQA) and other authorities for intercepting and preventing these trucks from offloading these bad goods,” he said. “But this does not end the worry of concerned citizens.”
Jobarteh asked why the identity of the company or individuals who attempted to import the unhealthy potatoes had not been disclosed. “It is not enough to inform citizens of the outcome of your actions, which is commendable. But it is also necessary for citizens to know more details about the very reason this consignment appeared at our border. Who brought them here? If they dare to attempt to import bad goods into the country, then citizens have a right to know who they are.”
He linked the incident to a separate development reported by the Gambia Police Force within the past 48 hours involving a ship at the ports carrying buffalo meat that authorities said has since left. “We need to know who is importing foods that the authorities claim to be unsuitable. Who is behind the buffalo meat ship? Citizens have a right to know the identities of those behind it and the origin of these goods,” Jobarteh said.
He concluded that “transparency should be the default setting of public institutions.”
