Food and Drug Dept warns against unlabelled processed foods
The Government Analyst–Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is urging the public to be on the lookout for unlabelled processed foods.
The warning was issued to both manufacturers and consumers in a media advisory on Tuesday against unlabelled items of processed foods such as flour, milk, sauces, spices and beverages.
Unlabelled unopened can of processed preserved food, high angle view on white
According to the Department, the sale of unlabelled processed foods is in contravention of the laws of Guyana, specifically the 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), which states: “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, the Food and Drug Department posited that these items pose a public health risk; hence, consumers are being advised not to make such purchases for various reasons, including the fact that unlabelled foods are in most cases manufactured and/or packaged under insanitary conditions by unlicensed manufacturers.
Moreover, it was outlined that unlabelled foods may be subjected to adulteration (mixing) with substandard and/or expired foods.
The Food and Drug Department explained that consumers were taking a risk when purchasing unlabelled foods that are void of information (such as name and address of manufacturer, batch number, expiry date, list of ingredients, etc) in the event of food poisoning, complaint or the need for litigation (legal action) against manufacturers or packagers.
Furthermore, the Department posited that unlabelled packages were in some cases recycled, so the nutritional value of the food product could not be guaranteed, or instruction provided on storage or use when critical or necessary.
Additionally, consumers cannot be guaranteed of the correct weight or measure of foods that are sold in unlabelled packages.
The advisory further detailed that the Department would be left with no alternative but to enforce the laws of Guyana by seizing and confiscating unlabelled foods that were consistently being released for sale on the local market in large volumes with little or no regards to its advice.
Consumers are again being advised to desist from the purchase of unlabelled products for their own safety.
