The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has clarified that the GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments Africa Limited resulted from multiple regulatory breaches, unrelated to the quality of the Moshosho Rice imported from India.
According to the FDA, investigations revealed that Lamens Investments re-bagged the rice without obtaining the required prior approval, violating critical safety and compliance protocols.
Additionally, the re-bagging was carried out in an unlicensed facility without FDA oversight.
The authority’s statement detailed the infractions, including re-bagging rice without approval, conducting operations in an unauthorized facility, and failing to ensure FDA supervision during the process.
“The FDA imposed an administrative fine of GH¢100,000 on Lamens Investments Africa Limited for the following regulatory breaches: Re-bagging the rice without prior FDA approval, Conducting re-bagging operations in an unlicensed facility, and Failing to ensure FDA supervision during the re-bagging process,” part of the statement read.
These violations culminated in the administrative fine.
The investigation also uncovered that approximately 22,000 bags of 50kg rice, initially imported from India, were falsely labeled as “Made in Ghana.”
The rice bags lacked essential information such as manufacturing and expiration dates, contravening Ghanaian laws.
While tests conducted by reputable institutions like the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) confirmed that the rice was safe for consumption, the FDA emphasized that the importer’s mishandling of the product constituted a serious breach of public health standards.
As part of its regulatory processes, the FDA approved an extension of the rice’s “Best Before” date from December 20, 2023, to April 30, 2024, following scientific evaluations. However, a subsequent request to extend the date to December 2024 was denied due to insufficient stability data.
Addressing public concerns about accepting part payments for fines, the FDA explained that this practice ensures accountability while allowing enforcement actions to proceed without delay.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through rigorous regulatory enforcement.
“The FDA imposed an administrative fine of GH¢100,000 on Lamens Investments Africa Limited for the following regulatory breaches: Re-bagging the rice without prior FDA approval, Conducting re-bagging operations in an unlicensed facility, and Failing to ensure FDA supervision during the re-bagging process,” part of the statement read.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has alleged that 22,000 bags of expired rice were distributed to Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide. He claimed the rice, imported by Lamens Investments, was deliberately re-bagged and falsely labeled as local produce through a collaboration with the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
Ablakwa stated that the expired rice, branded as “Moshosho Rice,” was re-packaged into sacks labeled “Made in Ghana” and “ECOWAS” but without expiration dates. The MP revealed that the Ashanti Regional Police and FDA initially intercepted the rice but later released it for distribution under directives “from above.”
He further claimed that an additional 10,000 bags were stored in a Tema warehouse and that investigations into the matter were abandoned after Lamens Investments agreed to pay a GH¢100,000 fine. However, Ablakwa noted that only half the fine had been paid, and the company is now untraceable for the remaining balance.
According to Ablakwa, FDA test results showed the rice was contaminated, with high acidity levels and the presence of insects. Medical experts reportedly recommended the rice’s destruction.
The MP is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and prosecution of those responsible, emphasizing the need to protect public health and ensure accountability in the food supply chain.
