Approval of food is done through inspection of manufacturing food premises, collection of food samples and analysis. This inspection is carried out once every two years.
Importers / exporters apply to the Permanent Secretary for health for an inspection, and inspectors are assigned by the Director of Environmental Health to conduct the Inspection. The Inspection is carried out in the country of origin/ port of import. This process involves a full factory inspection, and collection of samples for analysis which is conducted by our local Government Analyst Laboratory. Once the product is analysed, the import of the requested food product is approved or recommendations for measures that result in the compliance of the product are made. Once the product is satisfactory, a sanitary certificate is issued. This certificate is required to accompany the shipment on import.