Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade - Notification - Mauritius - Food control framework

NOTIFICATION

The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6

 

1.

Notifying Member: MAURITIUS

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

The Senior Chief Executive

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Email address: dseewooruthun@govmu.org; mohscesec@govmu.org

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): (HS code(s): 02; 03; 04; 05; 06; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:

Food Act 2022; (42 page(s), in English)

Draft Food Regulations 2023; (93 page(s), in English)

6.

Description of content: The Draft Food Regulations 2023 are intended to replace the Food Regulations of 1999, with the overarching aim of fortifying food control framework in Mauritius to align with international food standards. These regulations specify the requirements for the following:

· Food composition and labelling, including labelling requirements for pre-packed food;

· Packages for food, including standards for food grade material, which can be used for packaging;

· Pre-approval permit for any novel food, food produced using gene technology and irradiated food;

· Examination and sampling of food for clearance at border level as well as surveillance at domestic level;

· Food hygiene pertaining to building and facilities, food handling practices and personal hygiene of food handlers;

· Contaminants levels to protect the market from the sale of unsafe food;

· Chilled and frozen food to enable the transport, storage, display and sale of perishable food safely;

· Food additives, which can be used in specific food and at which level;

· Salt, which is allowed for sale;

· Cereal and cereal product for the sale of fortified flour;

· Egg and egg product to ensure their safe consumption;

· Special purpose food for the health protection of infants and children;

· Edible oil or fat concerning saturated fat and trans-fat;

· Mayonnaise and sauce for its their production;

· Milk and milk product to ensure their safety and nutritional quality;

· Meat and meat product processing and sale;

· Fish and fish product, which are safe for human consumption;

· Packaged water and natural mineral water for its their production and sale;

· Food safety management system requirement for food establishments involved in specific types of food, mayonnaise, fish and fish product, meat and meat product, and packaged water and natural mineral water; and

food prohibited for sale in educational institutions, such pre-primary, primary and secondary school.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection; Protection of human health or safety; Quality requirements

8.

Relevant documents:

Food Act 2022 [English; 42 pages]

Draft Food Regulations 2023 [English; 93 pages]

The requirements established within the proposed draft Food Regulations is mostly based on the CODEX texts, namely:

· General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods CXS 1-1985;

· Codex General Standard for Food Additives (Codex Stan 192-1995, Rev.);

· Codex General Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CODEX STAN 193-1995;

· Codex pesticide residues in food online database; among others.

9.

Proposed date of adoption: 1 December 2023

Proposed date of entry into force: 6 months from adoption

10.

Final date for comments: 60 days from notification

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Mr Yousouf Gaungoo

Officer-In-Charge

Mauritius Food Standards Agency

3rd Floor, Room 3A, Emmanuel Anquetil Building, Port Louis

Mob: +(230)52528567|WhatsApp: +(230)57547834

Email:yougaungoo@govmu.org

National Notification Authority

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade

Mr D. Luximon

Deputy Director –Trade Policy Unit

International Trade Division

Tel: + 230 260 2914

Email: dvluximon@gmail.com

National Enquiry Point

Mr Kaviraj Ramsarrun

Standards Information Manager

Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB)

Villa Road, Moka

Tel: (230) 4338164

Fax: (230) 4335051

Email: kramsarrun@msb.intnet.mu; msb@intnet.mu