The Government Analyst- Food & Drug Department is issuing a reminder to all Food Importers that Customs Entry Documents must be accompanied with the original Health or Free Sale Certificate that must be issued by the Regulatory Authority of the Country of Origin as is prescribed in the Food aid Drug Act 32 (2) which states that “no article of food…. ;hall be imported into Guyana unless the article wholly conforms to the law of the country in which it was manufactured or produced and is accompanied by a certificate in prescribed form and manner that the article does not contravene any known requirement of the law of that country…” and its Regulations.
During the year 2017, the Department had been inui dated with requests for waivers by Import rs which is a clear violation of the Act. Hence, for the upcoming year 2018, Requests for waivers will of be facilitated by this Department; only custom entries that are accompanied with the relev, nt documents will be released for sale on the local market.
In addition, Importers are also advised to ensure that suitable and approved (licensed) storage facilities are available for the safe and protective storage of food items to be bought by consumers. This is a requirement according to section 8 of the Food and Drugs Act: “Any person who manufactures prepares, preserves, packages or stores for sale any pod under unsanitary conditions is guilty of Fyn offence.”
Importer’, who are without the requisite storage facilities will not be allowed to import items of food to be released for sale to the general public.
All for your information and guidance.