March 31 is deadline for food importers’ registration

The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department is calling on importers, retailer and wholesalers of processed food and raw materials used in manufacturing to register and obtain their import permit for 2015, before the March 31 deadline.

According to a press release from the department, an import permit is issued when suitable, registered premises for holding and storing products is provided. The release added that air conditioning, refrigeration and freezing facilities should be provided for sensitive foods such as dairy products, preserved vacuum packaged meat products, chocolates and other confectionary. Moreover, labels should comply with the labelling requirements as set out in section 18 of the Food and Drug Regulations No 10 of 1977.

Additionally, all foods sold on domestic markets should be labelled in English. It is the onus of the importers to