GUYANA
Guyana
Regulations & Legislations
Food and Drugs Act (Cap. 34;03)
This Act covers safety legislation relating to Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Therapeutic Devices. he 37 sections of this Act are divided into 6 Parts: General (I); Food (II); Drugs (III); Cosmetics (IV); Devices (V); Administration and Enforcement (VI). Part 1 specifies general offences in relation with the offering for sale of food and drugs and empowers the Minister to require persons to furnish information relating to the preparation and sale of food or drugs to the Government Analyst (secs.3 and 4). Provisions of Part 2 prohibit the sale of harmful, unfit, adulterated or unsanitary food and wrong labelling or otherwise representing of characteristics of food and make provision for the maintenance of food standards in general.
https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC007356/
This Act outlines the legislative requirements by food handlers and businesses to safeguard consumers against harmful foods. It also outlines the responsibilities and powers of the Food Safety Authority, including the implementation and enforcement of the provisions within the legislation.
https://parliament.gov.gy/publications/acts-of-parliament/food-safety-act-2019
Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Regulations 2004 (No. 8 of 2004).
These Regulations provide for the control of the manufacture, importation, handling, storage, placing on the market and use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. They require such hazardous substances to be classified and registered. The Regulations also concern pesticide residues.
https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC121173/
Legislation and regulations relating to food, food safety and food hygiene in Guyana are provided on this page.
https://www.fao.org/faolex/country-profiles/general-profile/en/?iso3=GUY
State Agencies
National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI)
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute spearheads agricultural research and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of the non- traditional crops sector (fruits and vegetables), bio fuel development as well as for plant quarantine services.
Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC)
The Guyana Marketing Corporation provides market facilitation services to the private sector for the export of non-traditional agricultural produce, facilitates local market development, develops and disseminates post-harvest technology, conducts market research, and provides market intelligence services to farmers.
https://newgmc.gov.gy/services/agri-business-development/
Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB)
The Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board focuses on licensing, registration, training, inspection and enforcement and the execution of these activities with the aims of ensuring sound chemical management in Guyana; reducing human health and environmental risk; and ensuring food safety in agriculture production. Its services include the verification of active ingredient conent of formulated pesticide products and determining pesticide residues on crops.
Guyana National Bureau of Standards
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), operating under the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce is a semi-autonomous governmental organization responsible for standards and quality in Guyana. Its core services include: Calibration and Testing;
Certification (Product, Laboratories & Auditing); Product Inspection; Standards Development; Training and Consultancy and Verification.
Laboratories
Government Analyst Food and Drug Department
The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department is comprised of five laboratories that provide quality testing for food, drugs, water, cosmetics and medical devices. The Food Chemistry Laboratory determines the chemical quality of foods. The Water Chemistry Laboratory determines the chemical quality of tap water, purified water, treated well water and waste water. The Food Microbiology Laboratory conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis on food and water for the detection of food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms to ensure conformity to quality and safety standards.