Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
22,000 bags of 50 kg Moshosho rice that were imported from India at the time of the tests were deemed acceptable for ingestion by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
When the maker sought for the globally recognised sanction, “we looked at the quality of the product,” according to Joseph Yaw-Bernie, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
He said that the FDA, the Centre for Scientific Research (CSIR), and an authorised laboratory in India carried out stringent testing that verified the rice’s compliance with quality standards in an interview on Joy FM’s Middaynews on Thursday, November 21.
He also said Based on the qualities that were evaluated in the three laboratories, the product can still be used. Accordingly, the manufacturer requested that the best-before date be extended to April rather than December, but it was still safe. He emphasised that the three laboratories verified the rice’s quality, which was the main concern.
He clarified that even though the producer requested an extension to December, the rice’s best-before date was moved to April 2024 as a result of the tests.
“We also needed Lamens to present additional manufacturer-provided evidence to support any further extensions,” he continued.
“They [Lamens] requested an extension of the best-before date, and we guided them through the procedures. After they met the requirements, we granted the extension,” he stated.
The FDA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of Ghanaians in its capacity as a regulatory agency.
Mr. Bennie asserts that the government will never, under any circumstances, endanger the health and safety of Ghanaians, particularly children or students.
This comes after Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, made accusations that 22,000 bags of repackaged and outdated rice were sent to senior high schools nationwide.
In February of this year, he claimed, the consignment was distributed via the Free Senior High School Secretariat.
The lawmaker from North Tongu, who also chairs the Assurances Committee in Parliament, said that his investigation, which was started in response to a tip, showed that the act was intentional and demanded that the directors of Lamens Investments Africa, the business that is alleged to have repackaged and distributed the expired rice, be arrested and charged right away.
Mr. Bennie said that the FDA stepped in following a police complaint, explaining that the Authority worked with law enforcement to stop the illegal activities.
According to him, the company in question was penalised for three major infractions: running a rice repackaging factory without a licence, carrying out repackaging operations without FDA approval, and carrying out the procedure unsupervised.
The FDA emphasised that Lamens Investments Africa Limited was fined GH¢100,000 for these numerous regulatory infractions rather than the calibre of the Moshosho rice that was imported from India.
