The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expressed its willingness to undergo audits by local and international entities to validate its processes concerning allegations of distributing unwholesome rice to Senior High Schools (SHS).
The FDA has faced criticism for allegedly failing to conduct due diligence before approving an extension of the best-before dates on over 22,000 bags of 50kg rice imported by Lamens Investments Africa Limited.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the FDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, defended the authority’s actions, emphasizing adherence to strict regulatory standards.
“We welcome audits by qualified local and international bodies to validate every step we took,” Dr. Darko stated.
She explained that the FDA follows global best practices in food safety, particularly concerning the management of use-by, expiry, and best-before dates.
“Like similar regulatory bodies worldwide, the FDA can extend best-before dates after rigorous testing and ensuring compliance with storage requirements, all in alignment with international standards,” she said.
Dr. Darko reassured the public of the FDA’s commitment to transparency and public health, saying, “Our priority remains ensuring food safety and protecting public health.”
Regarding the rice in question, she confirmed that thorough testing and verification were conducted before its release.
“The FDA confirms the wholesomeness of the rice after reviewing certificates from India, the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), and the CSIR-Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI). We assure the public that the rice met all safety standards before distribution,” Dr. Darko added.
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