Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has given new directives to palm oil processors, collectors, retailers and exporters to have an official certificate from the FDA attesting to the absence of Sudan dyes before export to the European Union (EU).
The FDA said: “All consignments of palm oil exports from Ghana that are not accompanied by official certificates from the FDA will be rejected on arrival in the EU based on documentation control. All consignments of palm oil exports from Ghana that are not accompanied by official certificates from the FDA will be rejected on arrival in the EU based on documentation control.”
A notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Delese Mimi Darko, said the directive has been necessitated by the persistent high rate of non-compliance established by European Union (EU) Member States for palm oil exports from Ghana.
Consequently, the special conditions in addition to an increased level of official controls have been enforced by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety.
According to FDA, all exporters of palm oil in their interest should endeavour to acquire the FDA certificate of analysis to accompany each consignment that is exported, which will also undergo physical checks upon arrival.
The Authority is working closely with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to strictly enforce all requirements for the export of palm oil and all other FDA-regulated products.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
