The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department is calling on importers, retailer and wholesalers of processed food and raw materials used in manufacturing to register and obtain their import permit for 2015, before the March 31 deadline.
According to a press release from the department, an import permit is issued when suitable, registered premises for holding and storing products is provided. The release added that air conditioning, refrigeration and freezing facilities should be provided for sensitive foods such as dairy products, preserved vacuum packaged meat products, chocolates and other confectionary. Moreover, labels should comply with the labelling requirements as set out in section 18 of the Food and Drug Regulations No 10 of 1977.
Additionally, all foods sold on domestic markets should be labelled in English. It is the onus of the importers to ensure that the official English translations are provided for and affixed to foods labelled in a foreign language. Also, all products arriving in the country must have a minimum of 75% of the stated shelf life at the time of entry. Furthermore satisfactory records with respect to origin of products, names and address of suppliers, distribution points and recall of the products should be kept.
A certificate of analysis, endorsed by the regulatory authority of the country of origin must accompany each consignment, before an import permit is granted.
The release also reminds importers that all relevant customs document must be submitted to the department for examination before the consignment is released through the Customs and Trade Administration.
“Full cooperation from importers is expected in the interest of the consumer safety and protection,” the release added.
