Arakan State FDA instructs manufacturers of certain foods to halt production

By DMG 07 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
7 September 2022, Sittwe

The Arakan State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instructed local manufacturers of foods flagged by the FDA head office as unsuitable for consumption to stop production and recall their products from markets, according to an official of the state FDA.

The FDA on August 30 announced a list of 39 brands of packed food that are dangerous for consumption because of the use of chemicals and prohibited artificial colours. Five of the brands are produced in Arakan State’s Sittwe.

The authority in its announcement said prolonged consumption of those foods can cause damage to the stomach, liver and kidneys, and can lead to cancer.

Director Dr. Naing Naing Lin of the Arakan State FDA said the department has instructed the relevant producers to halt production and recall their products.

“About the products whose manufacturers we could not conduct, we will educate sellers whenever we make field inspections in markets,” said the director, adding that the department conducts weekly and monthly surprise checks with mobile labs.

“For the suspicious products that we can’t test in Arakan State, we send samples to Naypyidaw headquarters for lab test,” she added.

Sittwe resident Ko Zaw Win Naing urged the department to make sure manufacturers have halted production on the ground. “I would also like to urge the FDA to check the snacks sold at school canteens,” he said.

Most groceries are bought from wholesalers, and they usually are not aware of FDA notices, said a grocery owner who did not want to be named.

“We buy from wholesalers. We don’t know where to check FDA notices. So we sell products that have demand in the market,” she said.

Residents have meanwhile called on the Arakan State FDA to carry out surprise checks not only in markets but also on individual grocers.

Among the foodstuffs produced in Sittwe and flagged by the FDA as unsuitable for consumption are two brands of soft drink, two brands of chili sauce and packed damson.

The FDA has threatened producers of those foods with legal action under the National Food Law if they continue to run production.