EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GA-FDD

The Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department (GA- FDD) falls under the purview of the Ministry of Public Health .This Department was initially established in the late 19th Century to aid in performing analyses for the sugar industry. Later, its role was expanded with the enactment of Food and Drug Act of 1971, the Food & Drug Regulation 1977 to address safety and trade related issues for food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. To this end the Department is mandated in ensuring that items to which the Act and Regulations applies are safe and pass quality checks to enter regional and international markets.

ANALYTICAL

5 Laboratories- Food Microbiology, Food Chemistry, Drug Chemistry, Excise Chemistry and Water

FOOD & DRUG INSPECTORATE

Inspection, Seizure, Destruction, Litigation

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Conformity assessment activities / procedures undertaken by the Department includes, but are not limited to: Inspections (facilities, items, records, documents), approval (labels, import licenses), sampling and analysis, certification (health / free sale certificate, marketing authorization, food handlers I.D cards) licensing (manufacturing, imports).

Activities / procedures conducted by the Department impacts regional and international trade significantly. Food, drugs, cosmetics or medical devices can only be imported / exported if the necessary inspection, sampling, analysis and the issuance of results from analysis, health / free sale certificate, examination, a Licence to Manufacture or a Permit to Import is approved or issued by the Department.

This impact is demonstrated in dollar terms to our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in particular with the Rice and Sugar industry when licences to manufacture and / or free sale certificates are issued.

OUR VISION

Our vision at the GA-FDD is to evolve and maintain the status of a Conformity Assessment Body through the attainment of ISO17025 & ISO17020 Accreditation. The Department also aims  to facilitate local and international trade, protect consumers from substandard items through analytical testing and inspection and enforcement activities.

OUR MISSION

The Government Analyst – Food & Drug  Department, Ministry of Public Health aims to protect the health and well being of consumers and to enhance the competitiveness of industries regulated under the Food and Drug Act 1971, through-

  • Ensuring the safety and quality of food, beverages, cosmetics, medical devices, drugs and water through the establishment of safety and quality  assurance systems;
  • Delivering a timely and efficient service to all clients of the Department;
  • Providing precise and accurate analytical results that are “fit for purpose” and meet customer satisfaction;
  • Aiding International Trade through import and export inspection and certification;
  • Maintaining a highly skilled, committed and courteous team.
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