COVID-19 delays licensing for agro-processors, manufacturers

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the issuing of licenses and certificates for agro-processors and manufacturers in Guyana, the Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) noted in a statement.

The licenses are issued following a number of sanitary inspection activities by the Department, Environmental Health Offices or Sanitary Inspectors across the ten administrative Regions.

“Our work and activated for licencing of factories for 2020 has been curtailed because of COVID-19 restrictions,” the Department stated.

However, the Department in collaboration with Officers in the regions will soon redouble efforts to ensure local manufacturing entities and in particular agro-processors are inspected and issued with the respective permits and licenses or Free Sale certificates, albeit this time with the added advantage of an accreditation Mark or Logo.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department on Friday last visited the Morning Glory Cereal Rice Factory in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

“The visiting team from the GA-FDD was impressed with the layout, cleanliness, available records and general condition of the factory. Only minor violations were observed with the factory since, environmental condition, processing and staff records were perused to the satisfaction of the team,” the Department stated.

The Department further stated that yeast, mold, moisture and water activity level samples were taken and submitted for inspection. This will further accredit the satisfactory conditions of the Morning Glory Factory and product.

“The Premises was therefore recommended for licence to continue manufacturing in 2020 and beyond.”
This inspection also follows on the heels of the Department acquiring accreditation status. The factory will also be issued the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) logo, as the product is expected to part of Guyana’s export.

The Morning Glory Rice Factory was funded by Government in January 2015 and established as an agro-processing facility in 2017 under the direct of the Institute and Applied Science and Technology (IAST).

The product is distributed by Ansa Mcal and can be found in all leading stores and supermarket across Guyana.