MPs okay Foods and Medicines Authority

The government will soon set up a new agency that will ensure that fortified foods like cereals and milk products, as well as food supplements on the local market, meet national or international standards.This is after MPs on Friday concluded debate on the Bill establishing the Rwanda Food and Medicines Authority (RFMA).The MPs passed the proposed law after hearing and adopting the final report from the Chamber of Deputies’ standing committee on social affairs.MP Espérance Mwiza, the chairperson of the committee, told the House that the previous amendments about format were all approved.In June, a joint Senate-Chamber of Deputies team was appointed to iron out minor format issues. Mwiza said the joint committee examined the amendments on format made by the Senate.The RFMA will be in charge of enforcing regulations relating to food safety in public food service establishments in addition to ensuring that fortified foods and food supplements on the local market meet national or international standards.In June, MP Ignatienne Nyirarukundo, the deputy chairperson of the committee, said the body would help enforce the law governing the regulation of foods and medicines which was passed last year.According to the Bill, the mission of RFMA is to inspect and verify food and pharmaceutical products. Its responsibilities will include: monitoring compliance with laws and regulations relating to the safety of food and pharmaceutical products, medical devices, poisons, cosmetics, herbal medicines and other health commodities, including putting in place regulations relating to the importation and manufacture.It will ensure that fortified foods and food supplements on the market meet national or international standards as well as enforcing regulations relating to food hygiene or safety in public food service establishments.

National

MPs okay Foods and Medicines Authority