The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has announced its willingness to undergo audits by both local and international organizations to confirm its actions regarding the alleged distribution of substandard rice to Senior High Schools (SHS).
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the FDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, emphasized that all approvals were issued in full compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
“The FDA is open to audits by qualified local and international bodies to validate all its actions,” she said.
Dr. Darko clarified that, the FDA adhered to international food safety standards, including protocols for managing use-by dates, expiration dates, and best-before-end dates.
“The authority, like other authorities globally, may use accepted regulatory extensions of best before dates, following rigorous testing and compliance with storage requirements, and this is in line with international best practices” she added.
She emphasized the FDA’s dedication to transparency and protecting public health in light of the ongoing scrutiny.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring food safety and protecting public health,” she affirmed.
Dr. Darko addressed concerns about the rice in question, assuring the public that thorough testing and verification were carried out prior to its release.
“The FDA also wishes to assure the public that it confirms the wholesomeness of 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 released for distribution,” she added.