…Food and Drug head assures consumers products safe for consumption

MANDARIN-labelled Fernleaf milk powder which entered Guyana’s market recently has been approved for consumption by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).

This is according to GA-FDD Managing-Director, Marlon Cole, who sought to assure consumers that nothing was wrong with the product and that it was not manufactured in China but in New Zealand. Cole explained that a shipment of Fernleaf milk powder destined for China ended up in the Caribbean, and that Nestlé and its local distributor, Massy Stores had written the Department seeking approval for the item to enter the country.

“They requested approval early in January for the item to enter the market, and we sent them an approval letter authorising reconditioning (re-labelling) and release of the product, in keeping with the law. Nestlé subsequently sent out a release informing the public that the 900G and 2500G Fernleaf Fortified Full Cream Milk Powder has been re-labelled.
The company, which sells its product through Massy Stores Guyana, said that “consumers are advised that the products are authentic and safe for consumption.” Nestlé further added that the products have been re-labelled to reflect accurate information regarding the Nutrition Information, Ingredient List, Allergen Statement, Storage Instructions, and Updated Product Description.

On Tuesday morning, Telecia Dazzell posted a video and eight photos on Facebook showing a Mandarin-labelled tin of Fernleaf milk powder which was bought from a shop in Bourda Market. The video, which has been viewed over 149,000 times, shows that the tin was not re-labelled as was the case with Charles Flavius, who posted a re-labelled tin on Facebook the following day.

However, the GA-FDD Managing-Director noted that if products are found to not have been re-labelled, as is required by law, then those products will be recalled. “If it is found that some were not reconditioned, then those items will be recalled by the department which will take further action. But all must be re-labelled in English,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.