Moreover, the label should declare in English the brand name or trade name, quantitative list of active ingredients, batch number, and expiry date as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, the Food and Drug Department stated in a press release from Government Analyst and Director of Food and Drug, Marilyn Collins.
And the labels of these supplements must comply with the labeling requirements of the Food and Drugs Regulations No. 10 of 1977.
According to the release, “where a product sought to be imported into Guyana would, if sold in Guyana, constitute a violation of the Act or these Regulations, the product may be admitted into Guyana for the purpose of re-labelling or re-conditioning under the supervision of an inspector in compliance with such written conditions as may be specified in the report of an analyst.”
Where re-labelling or re-conditioning is not satisfactorily carried out within three months after the report is made, or within a shorter period as may be specified in the report, the product shall be exported.
However, if it is not exported within a further period of three months, it shall be forfeited to the State and disposed of as the Minister may direct, except that the Minister may extend the time for complying with the conditions specified or for exporting the same products, the release said.
In the case where therapeutic claims are made for the supplement, it would be regarded as a drug and then the requirements for the importation of the drug, including its registration, would have to be satisfied. In addition, scientific evidence to support these claims must be provided.
Herbal supplements containing vitamins and, or, minerals would require registration if they contain three times or more of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of any vitamins or minerals, the release added.
