Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed on Friday November 15, 2024 that the Food and Drugs Authority certified the bags of rice distributed to senior High Schools by Lamens Ventures.
According to him, the FDA certified it as wholesome for consumption, with expiry date extended to April, 2024.
“The rice was certified by the FDA as wholesome for consumption, with its new expiry date extended to April, 2024.
Kwasi Kwarteng also confirmed that, Lamens ventures submitted a formal request to the FDA dated February 9, 2024, seeking approval to re- bag the remaining stock to reflect the updated shelf life.
He mentioned that, the National Food and Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) engaged Lamens Ventures to procure rice for distribution under the Free SHS program.
“By the last quarter of 2023, NAFCo still had a portion of this stock yet to be distributed to schools”.
Kwasi Kwarteng in a post on his official Facebook page, noted that, a total of 11,000 metric tons of rice was imported, with an initial expiry date of December 2023.
He indicated that, per the advice of the FDA, Lamens Ventures followed all necessary protocols to have the rice re-tested in the country of origin, that is India.
Read the full statement below
Initial findings: Supply of Expired Rice to Students under the Free SHS Program
1. The National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) engaged Lamens Ventures to procure rice for distribution to students under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program.
2. A total of 11,000 metric tons of rice was imported, with an initial expiry date of December 2023.
3. By the last quarter of 2023, NAFCO still had a portion of this stock yet to be supplied to schools.
4. On the advice of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Lamens Ventures followed the necessary protocols to have the rice re-tested in India, its country of origin.
5. The re-testing was to ascertain the possibility of extending the rice’s shelf life by an additional year, to December 2024.
5. Following further evaluations and verifications, the FDA granted a temporary extension of the rice’s “Best Before” date to 30th April 2024, after confirming the product’s continued wholesomeness.
6. It is important to note that February 2024 was the last time Lamens distributed these rice to schools through NAFCO and at the time the rice was deemed wholesome by the FDA
7. To address concerns from schools regarding the rice’s perceived expiry date, Lamens Ventures submitted a formal request to the FDA, dated 9th February 2024, seeking approval to re-bag the remaining stock to reflect the updated shelf life.
8. The rice was certified by the FDA as wholesome for consumption, with its new expiry date extended to April, 2024.
By: Paulina Arthur
