– says GA-FDD

INDIVIDUALS and companies importing brewed products must now have a label on the items clearly displaying their names and addresses.
The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) in a release, stated:: “Label of all brewed products (beers, stouts, shandy and malta) imported into Guyana among other standard labelling requirements, must include also the name and address of the local Importer and Distributer”.
This announcement is in keeping with the Food and Drug Act, Chapter 34:03, Section 18 and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ)- Caricom Regional Standard (CRS 40:201X)- Labelling of Brewed products, GA-FDD noted.

The release further mentioned that imported brewed products that are non-compliant with the label requirement would be refused entry into Guyana.
Additionally, manufacturers of local products must be able to furnish a copy of their ‘No Objection Letter’ in cases of cottage industry or a valid licence to manufacture, issued by the GA-FDD to ply their trade at wholesale and retail outlets in Guyana.

GA-FDD noted that its inspectors would be enforcing these requirements along with Environmental Health Officers (EHO) (Sanitary Inspectors) in the regions and municipalities.

Failure of importers, distributors, supermarkets, wholesalers and retailers to ensure compliance with the listed requirements would see enforcement proceedings and legal action being taken against non-compliant commodities found in their possession and/ or their businesses being placed before the courts in accordance with the Food and Drug Act Charter 34:03, for trading in unlicensed products or improperly labelled imported brewed products.
The department disclosed that these measures are being taken in the best interest of consumers to ensure unlicensed or smuggled commodities that may have been manufactured, processed, transported, stored or be exposed to unfavourable and insanitary conditions are not released for sale in local markets.
Such an occurrence it was noted could put consumers at risk by exposing them to the inherent dangers associated with food fraud.