Expired rice saga: We’re ready for any audit – FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has stated its willingness to subject itself to an audit by any domestic and foreign organizations in order to justify its actions over the purported distribution of expired rice to Senior High Schools (SHS).

The Authority in recent days has come under severe criticism for failing to do due diligence before approving an extension of best-before date for more than 22,000 bags of 50kg rice imported by Lamens Investments Africa Limited.

Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, the FDA’s chief executive officer, stated during a press conference on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 that all clearances were made strictly in accordance with best practices and regulatory standards.

“To address any public concerns, the FDA is open to audit by qualified local or international bodies to validate all its actions,” she said.

Dr. Delese noted that the FDA follows international best practices for food safety including used by dates which indicates safety, expiry dates which indicates both safety and quality and best before dates which relates to quality and not safety.

She added that the Authority had also confirmed that the rice had not expired as was safety for consumption before distribution.

“FDA also wishes to assure the public that it confirmed the wholesomeness of the rice in question before the consignment of rice in question and gives assurance that with all the other certificates that were submitted from India, from PPRSD, from CSIR FRI and concluded that the rice was wholesome before it was distributed,” the CEO noted.

She emphasised the FDA’s commitment to transparency and safeguarding public health amid the ongoing scrutiny.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring food safety and protecting public health,” she  stressed.

Expired rice: Lamens Investments fined GH¢100k by FDA for regulatory violations

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