Accra, April 28, GNA - The Food and Drugs Board said on Friday that it is to begin the inspection of manufacturing premises of food products imported into the country to ensure that food safety and management systems of all facilities are of acceptable standards.

It said in a statement signed by Mr E.K. Agyarko, Chief Executive, that products, which the exercise would initially cover, include rice, confectionary, tomato paste, fats and oils, poultry products and energy drinks.

The statement said the Board was carrying out the exercise as part of its regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and quality of regulated products.

"All importers, wholesalers and distributors (of the products) are advised to contact the Food and Drugs Board not later than 31st May, 2005 for conclusion of the necessary arrangements for the programme to take off."

It said the Board was initiating the foreign manufacturing site verification programme, which had been identified as a mandatory component of the registration of products without which imports of food products would not be allowed.

The Board has already been carrying out the inspection of foreign manufacturing sites of drugs.

"The Board wishes to give assurance to the general public that it will do all in its power to ensure that regulated products into this country are safe and of good quality," the statement said.