Food and Drug Dept demanding compliance from proprietors

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 3, 2019

The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued a public notice demanding compliance and support from establishment supervisors and proprietors as there is the push to strengthen further its regulatory oversight in fulfilling the mandate of trade facilitation and consumer protection.

In the notice that was dispatched on June 2, the GA-FDD stated that it is taking measures to improve the efficiency and efficacy of its regulatory activities. The notification outlined the department’s legal mandate as it relates to accessing and inspecting premises where food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored for sale.

It was highlighted that in recent months, it has been brought to the attention of the department, that several proprietors or representatives of establishments regulated by the GA-FDD would either offer resistance or prohibit the staff from conducting their legally mandated duties.

The GA-FDD strictly warned against this as inspectors have rights in executing their duties as governed by the law. Acts of resistance and refusal to comply with food inspectors’ requests are against the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act

The Food and Drug Act states that an inspector has the right to conduct the following at any reasonable time:

• Enter any premises where food, drugs cosmetics and medical devices are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged, stored or sold for examination or sampling purposes.
• Examine and make copies of any books, documents or other records relevant to the enforcement of their inspection activities.
• Seize and detain for so long as may be necessary for the purpose of examination, investigation, trial or inquiry any food, drugs, cosmetics or medical device that contravenes the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act. According to section 21 subsection (5) of the Food and Drugs Act.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this act by doing the following is guilty of an offence:

• Obstruct an inspector in the carrying out of his duties under this Act.
• Knowingly makes any false or misleading statement either verbally or in writing to any inspector engaged in carrying out his duties under this Act.
• Remove, alter or interfere in any way with any article seized under this Act without the authority of an Inspector

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