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Kaieteur News
Wednesday December 12, 2012
Food and Drug department building capacity of inspectors The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is hosting a food inspectors’ workshop as it seeks to upgrade environmental officers and food inspectors’ capacity. The two-day workshop which is being held at the Brandsville Hotel, Pike Street,
Campbellville, aims at promoting harmonisation and standardisation of inspection reporting, and targets food inspectors throughout the country. Three new reporting checklists, which are expected to be implemented from January 2013, would be introduced to the participants for deliberation and discussion. This workshop comes at
a time, when internationally, rules and regulations regarding food safety are changing. Some of the new regulations include the Food Safety Modernisation Act in the United States of America and the European Food Safety Authority. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud noted that while the training is based on the changing regulations,
the core of the matter is to ensure the people in Guyana are protected. He pointed out that over a year-and-a-half ago, a Burden Illness Study was carried out which indicated that food borne diseases were under reported, and as a result the statistics did not reflect such. D r. P e r s a u d s a i d i n many instances people consume what is provided
without thinking about the process involved in the preparation of the eatables however, that process is very important to the safety of the food, and the impact on the individual’s state of health. I n t h i s r e g a r d , the setting up of a robust and well thought out plan to ensure food safety is one that everyone should desire. Since the Cricket World Cup in 2007, most food handlers have seen the need for proper methods in food preparation and have become certified. While this may seem burdensome to food establishments they must be more aware of the safety precautions and aid in the reduction of food borne illnesses to zero. Dr. Persaud highlighted that discussions have commenced with the Ministry of Agriculture to identify ways to better food supply and safety; these interactions have since resulted in the development of a draft food safety act which brings together the various aspects of the food production processes. He added that it has been recognised that the
Health Ministry alone cannot mainstream this effort. As the economy and population expand, the need for food processing will become greater. Dr. Persaud indicated that at a recent meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, it was stated that many countries are seeing Guyana’s capability to produce wholesome and healthy foods that are safe and can aid the reduction of non-communicable diseases. PAHO/WHO’s Senior Advisor in Sustainable Development and Environmental Health, Engineer Adrianus Vlugman in his remarks noted that the seminar brings together professionals in the field to finalise the format of the inspection checklist for good manufacturing practices, food services establishments and internationally recognised protocols. The checklist enables inspectors to effectively and confidently carry out and enhance food safety in Guyana. Vlugman acknowledged that safety is important for the export of food, particularly since Guyana is establishing itself in food exports which require certification.
$300,000 bail for causing death accused Truck driver Suruanga Ouditnarine, 24, of 101 Williamsburg, Corentyne was yesterday placed on $300,000 bail by Magistrate Fabayo Azore when he appeared before her at the Albion Court on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The case for the prosecution as presented by Corporal Sherlock King was that last Sunday (December 9) at Mangal Street, Kilcoy, Corentyne, Berbice, Ouditnarine drove motor lorry GMM 7368 in a manner dangerous to the public, thus causing the death of Ramnarine Madarsingh, an elderly man of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice, who was crushed to death. According to reports, the truck, which was transporting sand and other building materials at the time, was part of a fleet of vehicles being used in the rehabilitation of a street. The truck was allegedly backing up on the
mud dam which was wet at the time due to the inclement weather to discharge the materials when it allegedly ran over the man who was standing behind the vehicle. The driver told investigators that he saw the man on the street and thought that he had passed him when he decided to reverse and was shocked when told that he had run over the man, who was under the truck. The victim’s son, Deonarine Madarsingh, stated that his father had no birth certificate or identification card and had worked for most of his life with a rice farming family at Number 19 Village, East Coast Berbice. A post mortem examination was conducted on Monday at the New Amsterdam Hospital which gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage due to internal injuries.