THE Government Analyst of the Food and Drug Department is again advising consumers to carefully examine articles of food before making purchases from wholesale and retail outlets, and to demand only safe, sound and wholesome articles that are properly packaged, sealed and labeled.

Foods offered for sale should leave no doubt as to its authenticity, according to a press release issued last week by the Government Analyst of the Food and Drug Department.
Recently, the Environmental Health Department of Region 10, under the guidance of this department, and as a result of concerns raised by the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), seized a large quantity of packaging material (empty bags) and bags of flour from a business premises in the town of Linden.
This packaging material was labeled ‘Regal Supreme Quality Parboiled Rice’ with the address stated as Kingston Free Zone, 31-32 Shannon Drive, Kingston 15, Jamaica, West Indies.

REPACKAGING
The release also stated that it was discovered that the proprietor was repackaging flour, sugar and rice into this bag despite the fact that the label stated otherwise.
Section Six (1) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap 34:03 of the Laws of Guyana makes it an offence for anyone to “label, package, sell or advertise an article of food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive, or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.”
Persons repackaging articles from bulk quantities are required to obtain a permit from the Food and Drug Department.
According to the release, this permit would indicate that the department is satisfied that the premises and the facilities where the repackaging operation takes place was found to be in compliance with good hygiene requirements and also that the packaging material was suitable and the label complies with legislation.
It must be pointed out, the release noted, that anyone found to be committing an offence under the Food and Drug Act and Regulations is liable to a fine and to imprisonment.
Proprietors are expected to cooperate in the interest of consumer protection and safety, the release added.