'Expired' rice saga: FDA indicates readiness to undergo audit
The FDA has been under scrutiny for allegedly neglecting proper checks before approving an extended best-before date for over 22,000 bags of 50kg rice imported by Lamens Investments Africa Limited.
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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has declared its willingness to undergo inspections by both local and international organizations to validate its decisions regarding allegations of distributing substandard rice to Senior High Schools (SHS).
The FDA has been under scrutiny for allegedly neglecting proper checks before approving an extended best-before date for over 22,000 bags of 50kg rice imported by Lamens Investments Africa Limited.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, FDA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, emphasized that all actions taken were in strict compliance with regulatory standards and global best practices.
“We welcome audits by accredited local and international bodies to verify our actions,” she stated.
Dr. Darko elaborated that the FDA adhered to internationally recognized food safety protocols, including managing use-by dates, expiry dates, and best-before dates.
She further noted, “Like regulatory agencies worldwide, the FDA may authorize extensions of best-before dates after rigorous testing and verification of storage conditions, in alignment with international standards.”
Dr. Darko reassured the public of the FDA’s transparency and its commitment to safeguarding public health amid the controversy and emphasized that thorough testing and certification processes were conducted before its distribution.
