THE Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) announced that all food importers, particularly those importing from the State of Florida, USA, must present a free-sale certificate.

“Please be advised that as of January 31, 2020, and as requested by the laws of Guyana in the Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03, Section 32:2 and the Food and Drug Regulation 13, all importers must present a Free Sale Certificate or Certificate of Health for food imported from the state of Florida,” Government Analyst-Food & Drug Department Director, Marlan Cole said.

Such certificates, he noted, can be obtained from the Florida Health Department located at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, from Florida Food and Drug Administration, 15100 NW 67th Avenue, Hialeah, Florida, 33014 or Florida Agriculture Department, 2700 N Young Parkway, Kissimmee, Florida 34741.

“Please be advised that as at 23rd July, 2019, Enterprise Florida has notified the (GA-FDD) that issuance of Free Sale Certificates have been discontinued due to our no recognition of that entity as a competent authority,” Cole added.

The GA-FDD, the director noted, will also notify popular warehouses in the State of Florida of the need to ensure that export of food to Guyana are accompanied by the required Free Sale Certificate/ Certificate of Health as of January 31, 2020.

These warehouses include Sam Club 13360 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida; Jetro Cash and Carry, 2041 NW 12TH Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33127; and COSTCO, 2225 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz, Florida 33559, among others.