Be alert for substandard products during holidays – GA-FDD cautions

At the busiest time of the year when many persons are getting their holiday shopping done, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is asking consumers to be mindful of any substandard product that might be selling on the market.
In a press statement on Monday, Director of the Department, Dr Marlan Cole shared that caution should be exercised when purchasing food, drugs, cosmetics or medical devices.
Persons are tasked with ensuring that the items are labelled in the English language with a clear indication of the expiry date. Also, attention should be paid to items that are being sold at significantly reduced prices. This warning comes as substandard products continue to surface on the market.
“The Department has been increasingly intercepting substandard items of food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices on our market, which have either been refused entry into Guyana or seized and removed from premises. In some cases. items are either: in a foreign language, being offered for sale at significantly reduced prices, expired for as long as eighteen years or would have had their expiry date deliberately removed or do not meet our regulatory standard,” Cole highlighted.
The statement said that officers of the GA-FDD along with members from the National Food Safety and Control Committee (NFSCC) will continue to monitor activities regarding the trade of substandard items that fall within its remit.
According to the Food and Drug Act of 1971 Regulation 21(d): An inspector may at a reasonable time – seize and detain for so long as may be necessary for the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry, any article by means of or in relation to which he reasonably believes any provision of this Act has been contravened.
Nevertheless, consumers are asked to be alert and report any substandard food, drug, cosmetics or medical device on the local market. This can be reported to the GA-FDD on 222-8857 or any public health officer in the region or municipalities.
Earlier this month, the Department (GA-FDD) alerted consumers about the circulation of Colgate toothpaste that was being sold at a significantly reduced price. Investigations revealed that the product expired since October 2002.
Inspectors of the Department, along with ranks from the La Penitence Police Station visited several retail outlets in Georgetown, including the Bourda Market, the Stabroek Bazaar and the La Penitence Market, where the expired products were seized and removed. The Department said an alert was also dispatched to officers in all 10 administrative regions and municipalities.
Criminal charges are being filed against retailers and the wholesalers/distributors under the Public Health Ordinance Cap 145 Section 99 and the Food and Drug Act Cap 34:03 Section 14(b). (G12)