The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has charged all food establishments into all forms of advertising to seek their approval by December 1, 2024.
This covers billboards, social media, and other below-the-line mediums.
According to the Authority, advertisement by Food Service Establishment of its products without valid approval is in violation of the FDA Guidelines for the Advertisement of Regulated Products and Section 100 (2) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) and is punishable.
This section stipulates that “A person shall not advertise food unless the advertisement has been approved by the Authority”.
“All Food Service Establishments are required to apply for FDA approval for their advertisements across all media platforms by no later than December 1, 2024…Approved advertisements are valid for one year and must be renewed thereafter.”
Under Section 129 of Act 851, individuals who contravene these provisions are subject to summary conviction, a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred penalty units, and not more than fifteen thousand penalty units, or imprisonment for a term of not less than fifteen years and not more than twenty-five years, or both.
The Authority further communicated its resolve to enforce this.
It added, “The Media presenters are reminded that Live Presenter Mentions intended to advertise and promote FDA-regulated products are restricted to scripts approved by the Authority.”
The FDA defines Food Service Establishment to encompass operations that store, prepare, package, serve, vend, or otherwise provide food for human consumption, such as restaurants, bakeries, canteens, online food businesses, institutional catering services, and fast-food establishments.
Source:opemsuo.com