–engages them on regulations, policies governing importation of food

A NUMBER of importers met last week at the Ministry of Business to discuss issues affecting their businesses, and to learn about the regulations and policies that govern the importation of food in Guyana.

The session, which was facilitated by Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Mr Marlon Cole, was hosted by the Ministry of Business through its commerce department.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Business, Ms Rajbai Jagarnauth, welcoming importers to the meeting, said she was pleasantly surprised by the huge turnout.
Mr Cole, on the other hand, thanked those present for what he felt was their evident willingness to learn about the effective and, most importantly, correct way of importing food and other goods to Guyana.

He stressed that for too long, things were being done in a disorganised manner, with many persons doing as they wanted.
“This cannot continue,” he said. “And we will continue to do our work as best as we can, as we are mandated by law to execute our duties in the most professional way.”
That mandate, he said, is to enforce and administer the Food and Drug Act of 1971 and the Food and Drug Regulations of 1977, thereby ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and water, etcetera, meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

He said that while Part VI Section 20 of the Food and Drug Act permits the Minister of Health to appoint analysts and inspectors, it is Section 21 that empowers said inspectors to enter premises, inspect, make copies of documents, examine, demand information, and sieze articles.

REQUIREMENTS
In terms of what is required to be an importer, Cole said:
“Items must be imported with the required document; as importers, you must be registered with the Department; as an importer, you must have adequate storage facilities, which is a bond.

“You must also ensure that products imported have a 75% shelf life; you must have adequate records for distribution, sanitation and pest control; you must have a recall system, and also you must protect the integrity of the food item during distribution.”
On the issue of shelf life, Cole said that not having a recall system and adequate storage facilities are but two of the most common missteps importers commit.
Noting that this often results in many an importer having the impression that the department or its director is deliberately targetting them, when in actuality they are merely doing their job, Cole said:

“We have to do our work, but many times we have importers bringing in things which have already been expired. There are some cases where it has been expired over six months ago, and now they are coming into Guyana, while they lack adequate storage space and either in Guyana or during shipping, thus resulting in many of the items not worthwhile for consumers’ usage and instead of recognising that they are flouting the regulations, they assume that they are being deliberately or unfairly targeted.”

DESERVES BETTER
He vowed, however, that despite the many challenges the department is faced with in getting importers in line, he will continue the fight, as he has no intention of letting up.
“The public deserves better; they deserve what they are paying for, and importers must deliver quality to them; not expired, damaged or useless things,” Cole declared.
And on the issue of required certification, he quoted the regulation governing that, saying:
“A certificate required under Section 32:2 of the Act shall be a certificate in the English Language, issued by the official body or Government Department having the authority to issue such certificate in the country in which the article of food, drug, cosmetics or device manufactured or produced.

“And where no official body or Government Department has authority to issue such a certificate, the certificate may be issued by any persona acceptable by the minister.”
In terms of what is required in the importation of food, Cole said items must be properly labelled in English; the date must be marked, thus providing consumers with the information regarding Best Before and Expiry Dates, as to when it should be used by.
Noting that retailers also have certain responsibilities, Cole said:

“Retailers must have suitable and adequate storage facilities; they must store or display items at the correct temperature. Additionally, they must have a first-in-first-out system, and must ensure that shelves are free of expired or damaged items.”
Touching deeper on the issue of adequate storage, particularly correct temperature, Cole said:

“Too many times we see persons bringing in items in containers that are not even fit for the items that they are bringing in, as there are certain specifications that they must follow, which, in many cases, we see that they are not.

“Adequate storage facilities must also be taken into serious consideration, as visits to several bonds have seen that sometimes these items are not properly stored.”
He warned in closing that there are dire consequences for persons who like to ‘do as they like,’ adding that the set-out guidelines will be followed and adhered to, as his department will do whatever is necessary to ensure that they are.