The Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) says that businesses/manufacturers are not heading their warning to desist from the illegal and unhealthy practice of selling unlabelled items of processed foods.
Consequently, the GA-FDD says it will be confiscating unlabelled foods that are consistently being released for sale. The Body is also calling on consumers to play their part and desist from purchasing unlabelled items, since it can be deleterious to their health.
See the full statement below:
The Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) wishes to advice the general public particularly manufacturers and consumers against the selling and purchasing of unlabelled items of processed foods, such as flour, milk, sauces, spices and beverages. The sale of unlabelled processed foods is in contravention to the Laws of Guyana Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03 Part II Section 6. (2) and the Food and Drug Regulation No. 10 of 1977 section 18. (1). Manufacturers and food processors who are involved in this prohibitive practice are guilty of an offence according to the Food and Drug Act.
In addition, this practice posts a Public Health risk and consumers are being advised not to purchase unlabelled items of processed foods because of the following reasons:
- Unlabelled foods are in most cases manufactured and / or package under insanitary conditions by unlicensed manufacturers.
- Unlabelled foods may be subjected to adulteration (mixing) with substandard and or expired foods.
- Consumers are taking a risk when purchasing unlabelled foods that is void of information (name and address of manufacturer, batch number, expiry date, list of ingredients etc.) in the event of food poisoning , complaint or the need litigation (legal action against) manufacturers or packagers.
- Unlabelled packages are in some cases recycled and cannot guarantee the nutritional value of the food product.
- Unlabelled foods cannot provide instruction of storage or use when critical or necessary.
- Consumers cannot be guaranteed of the correct weight or measure of foods that are sold in unlabelled packages.
The Department would be left with no alternative but to enforce the Laws of Guyana by seizing and confiscating unlabelled foods that are consistently being released for sale on our local market in large volumes with little or no regards to our advice. Consumers are again being advised to desist from the purchase of unlabelled products in their own interest (nutritional value) and safety.
The Opposition will now probably protest this further erosion of business people efforts at coping with this “shrinking “economy: most likely they are going to table a bill in Parliament seeking redress.