The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has clarified that the GH¢100,000 fine imposed on Lamens Investments Africa Limited was for multiple regulatory violations, not the quality of the Moshosho Rice imported from India.

The FDA in a statement said investigations revealed that Lamens Investments re-bagged the rice without obtaining prior approval, a critical step required to ensure product integrity and compliance with safety standards.

The statement said the re-bagging operations were carried out in an unlicensed facility, and the company failed to ensure FDA supervision during the process.

• Read also: Expired Rice Scandal: Ablakwa slams Lamens Company for “Criminal” acts

"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.

The fine follows investigations into the alleged re-bagging of approximately 22,000 bags of 50kg rice, originally imported from India but falsely labelled as “Made in Ghana.” The rice bags lacked essential information, including manufacturing and expiration dates, in violation of Ghanaian laws.

• Read also: Expired rice scandal: We won’t jeopardize people’s health or safety for any reason – FDA

The FDA emphasised that these violations represent serious breaches of Ghana’s regulatory standards.

It said the tests, conducted by reputable institutions in India and Ghana, including the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), confirmed the rice met safety standards. However, the importer’s handling of the product violated protocols designed to protect public health.

In a separate development, the FDA recently approved an extension of the rice's Best Before date from December 20, 2023, to April 30, 2024, after thorough scientific evaluation.

• Read also: Why the drama if FDA declared repackaged ‘expired’ rice wholesome? – Kwasi Kwarteng to Ablakwa

However, the authority declined a request to extend the date further to December 2024, citing insufficient stability data to justify the extension.

The FDA also addressed public concerns about its acceptance of part payments for administrative fines.

The authority explained that this practice allows regulatory actions to proceed without delay, ensuring that companies remain accountable while adhering to their financial commitments.

• Read also: Read also: 22,000 bags of alleged ‘expired’ rice were “wholesome” for consumption – Education Ministry

Reaffirming its mission to safeguard public health, the FDA emphasised that such enforcement actions are essential to maintaining trust in the food supply chain.

We will continue to uphold the highest standards, taking decisive actions to protect public health and safety," the FDA said.

Background

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleged that a total of 22,000  bags of expired and repackaged rice were distributed to various Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.

He claimed that the consignment was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year.

The MP, who also serves as the head of the Assurances Committee in Parliament, said in his personal investigation into the matter, after receiving a tip-off, the action was deliberately carried out.

According to him, "The National Food Buffer Stock Company clearly conspired with a company known as Lamens Investments Africa Limited. They used the Buffer Stock storage facility in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, to repackage expired rice. This company brought in rice from India, the brand 'Moshosho rice', which expired in December 2023. Upon realising the rice had expired, they conspired with the Buffer Stock company to use their premises for re-bagging."

He explained that the rice was repackaged into locally made sacks, "with inscription 'ECOWAS', 'Made in Ghana rice', but without an expiry date."

Mr Okudzeto made these statements during an interview on Joy FM's Midday News on Thursday, 14th November.

He also revealed that the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the region, upon receiving a tip-off, intercepted the food for investigation. However, it was later released for onward distribution.

"Can you believe that, before the test results arrived from the FDA in Accra on 6th February, an instruction came from above that the expired, contaminated rice should be distributed to the schools? So, as we speak, all 22,000 bags of rice that the police sought to confiscate have been sent to the schools," he said.

The MP further alleged that approximately "10,000 bags were kept in a bonded warehouse in Tema, known as Lynbrok."

According to the MP, after he exposed the wrongdoing, an investigation was launched but was later abandoned when the said company offered to pay compensation of GH₵100,000.

He said, "There ought to be prosecution. The company has admitted to their wrongdoing and agreed to pay a fine of GH₵100,000 after jeopardising the health of thousands of Ghanaian students."

He added that the company had not paid the full fine and could not be traced. "Even the fine – they have only paid half of it, and they can't be located to pay the remainder," he claimed.

The rice, according to the FDA's results, was "so contaminated, it had insects and a very high acidity level. Medical doctors who have seen the FDA results say that this rice should have been destroyed." the MP said.

The MP is therefore calling for a full investigation into the matter and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.