FAMA Conducts GPL Compliance Enforcement

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) conducted compliance enforcement operations under the Grading, Packaging and Labelling of Agricultural Products (GPL) Regulations last Tuesday and Wednesday to monitor agricultural companies' compliance with the regulations.

Its regulatory division senior director, Asmizal Jaafar said the operation carried out on Tuesday involved inspections at three locations, namely the Farm Collection Centre Complex (PPL) Chui Chak, PPL Hap Kee, Chui Chak and PPL Kuala Bikam in Hilir Perak district, Perak.

"In the operation, there were still PPLs that failed to comply with the requirements that had been set in the GPL Regulations, including not having complete labelling and imperfect packaging," she said in a statement today.

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Asmizal said the operation on Wednesday involved roadblocks in Simpang Pulai and Tapah, Perak, carried out together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to monitor compliance with GPL Regulations on agricultural products from Cameron Highlands to be marketed throughout Malaysia, especially to Kuala Lumpur.

She said the GPL Regulation offences detected in the restrictions involved the labelling of agricultural products in addition to agricultural products not being packaged safely and mixing grades in packaging.

According to her, 39 vehicles were inspected and 34 notices for offences were issued to companies that did not comply with the GPL Regulations.

"Although the number of reported cases is not many, FAMA takes the matter seriously and GPL operations will be intensified so that similar cases do not recur,” she said

"The operational implementation of the GPL Regulation will also prevent traders from taking advantage of selling low-grade agricultural products at high prices.

"Thus, FAMA wants to emphasise the GPL Regulation starting from the initial stage of agricultural products being produced so that consumers get quality products at reasonable prices.”

According to FAMA's statement, good packaging practices need to be carried out in all stages of the marketing of agricultural products in the local, import and export markets to ensure the quality of agricultural products is preserved by avoiding post-harvest damage due to inappropriate or inadequate packaging.

The practice of grading will instill consumer confidence in the quality of agricultural products which will further increase demand while providing better returns to producers.

Through the practice of labelling, manufacturers will gain more trust from consumers in their products because each product is known to its source and can be traced.

-- BERNAMA