Seminar hosted for importers, distributors, retail outlet operators

THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), in association with the Ministry of Health, hosted a one-day seminar yesterday, for importers, distributors and operators of retail outlets.
Conducted at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, the programme was about the importance of proper storage of food and other regulatory requirements.
GA-FDD Director, Marlan Cole said it was organised, after they reviewed the complaints received, to sensitise importers, distributors and operators of retail food outlets to endorse and implement safety practices in food preparation and storage.
He told the participants that unacceptable practices have repercussions to businesses and they should desist from such and, instead, fulfill their requirements for customer satisfaction.
Mr. Cole also highlighted the work of the GA-FDD, its enforcement activities, requirements for importers, distributors and retailers, storage and their responsibilities.

Most fitting
In the feature address during the opening ceremony, Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud outlined the importance of food preparation and noted that the occasion was the first of its kind locally, which was most fitting.
He added that, since the local food industry is very large and serves everyone, much emphasis should be placed on the foods consumed, because, sometimes, the very things people eat makes them sick and can, at times, even lead to death in allergy related cases.
Persaud urged participants to bypass the shortcuts in the industry and go the right way in food preparation to ensure that it is wholesome for consumption.
He encouraged adherence to health regulations in food preparation so that germs do not get into people’s bodies, foods have different effects on people and can cause long term diseases and, eventually, lead to changes in bodies.
Persaud said the very foods consumed can cause varying diseases, such as high blood sugar, among others, and people should desist from using products with additives and preservatives, since those can lead to deformities in babies and cause cancer in adults.
He noted that the country can restrict certain food products from entering the local market and related the case in which powder milk was banned after it contained chemicals which are harmful to bodies and children who consumed it died.

Was necessary
Persaud said the seminar was necessary to enlighten participants on safety regulations on foods and food products.
He, however, urged the stakeholders to properly label and present their products to ensure people are getting healthy foods and food products, since most are processed and produced locally.
Persaud said people should avoid genetically modified foods and be aware of the types consumed.
In opening and welcome remarks, GA-FDD Senior Analytical Scientific Officer, Tandeka Barton said that the forum was to sensitise those participating on several topics of interest which is necessary.
Those discussed included fire safety requirements for storage facilities, the conditions, temperature control, cleaning and disinfection, design and construction of buildings, pest control, and quality assurance.