THE Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has restated its call for all shipments of imported foods in Guyana to be accompanied by a free sale or health certificate.This, the agency said, will protect consumers against expired and unwanted goods.

According to the GA-FDD in a release, the free sale or health certificate must be from the product’s country of origin, along with a certificate of analysis and a commercial invoice.

It is in keeping with the statutory requirements as stated in the laws of Guyana, Food and Drug Act chapter 34:03 section (32) ii and the food and drug regulation number 13.

These requirements are also in keeping the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s 1985 ruling on sanitary and phytosanitary measures to protect consumers from substandard items of foods traded across borders.

Importers are being reminded also that the GA-FDD would only accept original copies of documents for processing and letters of commitment for future shipments (waivers) will no longer be accommodated or be used to facilitate items of foods to be released on our local market.

The department stated that it will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that foods imported into Guyana are accompanied with the requisite documentations, according to the laws of Guyana, and to ensure consumers are protected from substandard food traded on the global market.