Food & Drug Dept warns against purchasing unlabeled milk

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department is advising all consumers against the purchase of Powdered Milk in unlabeled, transparent plastic bags.

A press statement warned retailers to discontinue the practice of repackaging milk without being in possession of a Permit to Repackage.

“The sale of milk powder in this manner is in breach of the Food and Drug Act 1971 and the Food and Drug Regulation 1977 and any person who sells Powdered Milk in unlabeled, transparent plastic bags are Guilty of an Offence,” the Food and Drug department noted.

According to Part II Section seven (7) and eight (8) of the Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03 and Part II Regulation 18 (1) of the Food and Drug Regulation: Milk must be properly labelled and when permitted be repackaged with supervision and under sanitary conditions.

Consumers are advised against the purchase of powdered milk in plain unlabeled plastic bags for the following reasons:

1. Unlabeled bags cannot represent the true identity of the re-packager or that of the milk (brand)
2. Milk placed in clear transparent bags results in a loss of nutritional value of the Milk
3. The milk is oftentimes repackaged under insanitary conditions by unlicensed re-packagers
4. Milk sold in this manner may be subjected to adulteration (mixing)
5. The true weight of the milk cannot be determined or reflected on a clear transparent bag

Consumers are also reminded that the standard for various types of Milk as found in Part IV Division 5 Regulation 3, 12, 13, 14 and 16 (Dairy Products) of the Food and Drug Regulation are as follows:

1. Milk or Whole Milk shall contain no less than 3.0 per cent milk fat , 8.5 percent milk solids
2. Flavoured Milk shall contain no less than 2.5 per cent milk fat, 8.5 percent milk solids
3. Condensed or Sweetened Condensed Milk shall contain no less than 8.0 per cent milk fat , 28.0 per cent milk solid
4. Evaporated Milk shall contain no less than 7.5 per cent milk fat , 25.0 per cent milk solids
5. Milk Powder shall contain no less than 26.0 per cent milk fat, 95.0 per cent milk solid.

Any milk being traded and / or sold on our local market in any of the above stated categories and the label does not reflect the prescribed standard as indicative of the name, will be seized and confiscated. Consumers are asked to report this practice to the Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (Telephone # 222-8859) or any Environmental or Municipal Health Officer in the respective Regions or Towns for their own interest and safety.