Manufacturers and importers are being warned by the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) that they should not use the world vinegar on the label of products that are solutions/liquid prepared by diluting concentrated acetic acid.
The GA-FDD is also warning persons who are involved in this practice that actions would be taken against them and this can include refusal of entry into Guyana of such labelled products, refusal of approval of local labels with the word vinegar on products that are diluted acetic acid and the withdrawal of support to local manufacturers who refuse to comply with labelling requirements for this category of product.
According to a statement from Director of GA-FDD Marlan Cole, his department recently found several labels of locally manufactured and imported products that are solutions/liquids of food grade diluted acetic acid that is misleadingly represented as vinegar.
In advising consumers of this practice the GA-FDD director also asks that they pay keener attention to the labels so that they can make an informed choice between what is vinegar (natural) and/ or diluted acetic acid (synthetic).
He pointed that according to the Food and Drug Regulation Division 16 (I, VII & VIII), vinegar is a solution/liquid obtained by the acetous fermentation of an alcoholic liquid and shall contain no less than 4% per cent or more than 12% per cent of acetic acid, while the labels of a solution/liquid prepared by diluting concentrated (synthetic) acetic acid must state “Diluted Acetic Acid (Food Grade 4-12%)” and not vinegar.
And Chapter 34:03 Section 6 of the Food and Drug Act states, “Any person who labels, packages, treats, processes, sells or advertises any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety is guilty of an offence.”
