Food and Drug Department warns against purchasing substandard products during festive season

The Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued an advisory to consumers cautioning them to be “very alert when purchasing food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices during the festive season.”

In a statement, the Department reminds that all items being purchased are to be in English Language, have a clear expiry date and particular attention must be paid to items that are offered for sale at a “significantly reduced price.”

“The Department has been increasingly intercepting substandard items of food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices on our market which have either been refused entry into Guyana or seized and removed from premises. In some cases, items are either: in a foreign language, being offered for sale at significantly reduced prices, expired for as long as eighteen years or would have had their expiry date deliberately removed or do not meet our regulatory standard,” the statement said.

Officers of the FDD and members of the National Food Safety and Control Committee (NFSCC) will continue to monitor activities rearding the trade of substandard items that fall under the supervision of the FDD.

“Consumers are nevertheless encouraged to be on the alert especially during the festive season and to report any substandard food, drug, cosmetic or medical device seen on our local market to the GA-FDD at 222-8857 (9) or to any Public Health officer in the region or municipalities,” the FDD urged.