The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has assured the public that the 22,000 bags of 50kg Moshosho Rice imported from India and distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) were safe for consumption at the time of testing.
According to the Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for the FDA, Joseph Yaw-Bernie, rigorous evaluations were conducted by the FDA, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and an accredited laboratory in India, all of which confirmed the rice met safety and quality standards.
“When the producer applied for the censure, which is internationally accepted, we looked at the quality of the product,” Mr. Yaw-Bernie explained during an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, November 21.
He further noted that based on the results of these tests, the best-before date of the rice was extended to April 2024, although the manufacturer had initially requested an extension to December 2024.
“So those three laboratory tests tell us that the product can still be used based on the qualities that have been tested in the three laboratories. Based on that, the best-before date has been extended to April, not to December as requested by the manufacturer … it was still safe. The issue at stake was the quality, and the three laboratories confirmed the quality of the rice,” he stressed.
Mr. Yaw-Bernie added that the FDA required Lamens Investments Africa Limited, the importer, to provide additional evidence from the manufacturer for any further extension. “They [Lamens] applied for an extension of the best-before date, and we took them through the processes. Once they qualified to have the date extended, we did that,” he said.
The assurance comes in the wake of allegations made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who claimed that the rice was expired and repackaged before being distributed to schools. Mr. Ablakwa has called for the arrest and prosecution of Lamens Investments Africa Limited for what he described as a deliberate act.
The North Tongu legislator also alleged that the rice was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year, describing the situation as a potential public health hazard.
However, Mr. Yaw-Bernie emphasized the FDA’s unwavering commitment to protecting public health and safety, particularly that of children and students. “The authority will not jeopardize the health and safety of Ghanaians, especially children or students, for any reason,” he said.
He clarified that the GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments was for multiple regulatory violations, including operating an unlicensed facility for repackaging, conducting repackaging without FDA approval, and failing to ensure FDA supervision during the process. The fine was unrelated to the quality of the rice, which remained wholesome.
“The FDA intervened in the case after receiving a complaint from the police,” Mr. Yaw-Bernie disclosed, adding that the Authority collaborated with law enforcement to halt the unauthorised activity.
The FDA has reiterated its commitment to upholding its regulatory standards and ensuring the safety of the Ghanaian food supply chain.