The Government Analyst -Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has refused entry into Guyana one 20ft container containing 7200 of Awal Junior Milk (Strawberry, Banana and Chocolate -flavours) which were being imported from Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Department said samples of the milk were submitted for examination on the 22nd December, 2016 where it was revealed that the milk is adulterated with vegetable oil and contains L5 % milk fat and not the recommended 2.5 % milk fat in accordance with the provisions for “Flavoured Milk” as prescribe for in the Food and Drug Regulations.
Consent to grant entry of the product into Guyana for consumers to use, particularly children was not granted and as prescribed in Part 1(Administration) of the Food and Drug Regulations, the Head of the Customs Department and the lmporter was officially notified of the Department’s actions based on the Inspectors’ report.
Members of the National Food Safety and Control Committee that comprises representatives/Inspectors from the Surveillance Unit Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Veterinary Public Health Unit MoPH, Environmental Health Unit, MoPH and Environmental Officers / Inspectors from the 10 Administrative Regions and Inspectors from City Council and Regional Municipalities, would be appraised on the Department’s action at its National Food Safety and Control Committee Meeting later this month, so as to ensure this product is not in circulation.
The Department is advising all lmporters to ensure written approval is obtained from the department prior to the introduction of any new foods, drugs, cosmetics and / or medical devices as is required according to the Food and Drug Act chapter 34:03 Section 22 lln & (lll) and Section 32 (ll) and also the Food and Drug Regulations.
The Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure substandard items of foods, drugs cosmetics and medical devices are prevented from being released on our local market for use by consumers.
