Caveat: Please note that the Food Safety Act of 2019 is currently undergoing amendment; and as such, services provided will be amended and added accordingly.
Registration & Licensing
- Registration of farms and farm establishments (crops, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture)
- Licensing of food business operators and value-chain actors: producers, processors, transporters, distributors, retailers, and food service
- Issuance of Food Handlers’ permit and identification card
- Issuance of permit to engage in street food vending
- Issuance of unique farmer registration/licence numbers
- Approval and registration of food premises
- Maintenance of the national farm register
Inspection & Compliance
- Routine and risk-based inspection of food premises and establishments
- Inspection of food at ports of entry and exit
- Detention of imported food pending inspection and clearance
- Sampling and collection of food for analysis
- Issuance of compliance notices, improvement notices, and suspension or closure orders
- Investigation of consumer complaints and non-compliance reports
Laboratory & Analytical Services
- Food testing at the GFSA laboratory: microbiological, chemical, excise chemistry, residue and contaminant analysis
- Certificates of analysis issued by appointed food analysts
- Traceability and forensic studies on food commodities
Import, Export & Market Access
- Approval or refusal of food imports and exports
- Issuance of food safety and sanitary certificates for export consignments, import consignments and domestic requirements.
- Technical support for compliance with US FSMA/FSVP, Codex Alimentarius, and CARICOM requirements
- Verification of foreign supplier and exporter documentation
Traceability & Data Systems
- Operation of the GFSA Registration and Traceability System (GFSA Data System)
- Identification, tracing, recall, and withdrawal of produce and traceable items
- Support for the control of food fraud and praedial larceny
- Record-keeping standards and guidance for food businesses
Training & Technical Guidance
- Food handler training and certification
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), Good Storage Practices (GSP) and HACCP training
- Train-the-trainer programmes for inspectors and industry personnel
- Written guidance and advisory services for persons engaged in food business
- Technical advice on labelling, packaging, storage, and transport requirements
Standards, Policy & Coordination
- Implementation of technical standards and requirements under the Food Safety Act
- Establishment and servicing of national food safety committees
- Joint arrangements with GNBS, Ministry of Health, GLDA, NAREI, Fisheries, and regional/international partners (CAHFSA, CARPHA, IICA, FAO, WHO)
Emergency Response & Consumer Protection
- Foodborne illness outbreak investigation, surveillance and response
- National focal point for INFOSAN (the WHO/FAO food safety emergency network)
- Codex Contact Point and secretariat
- Emergency measures and mandatory recall of hazardous food products
- Receipt and follow-up of reports of food-related illness
- Notification of unsafe food.
- Public education and consumer awareness campaigns
Contact Information
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana |
| Laboratory & office | La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara |
| Telephone | (592) 220-2683 |
| gfsa@agriculture.gov.gy | |
| Government portal | portal.gov.gy/agencies/guyana-food-safety-authority |
| @foodsafetygy | |
| Legal basis | Food Safety Act 2019 (Act No. 19 of 2019), under revision |
