Commerce Ministry testing commodities

The Director of the National Standard Laboratory or NSL at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Mr. Stephen Y. Mambu says test is being conducted on five different commodities’ in the country to know the nutritional content each of them has in the human body.

He says one of the commodities being tested presently is garee, adding that his department is also engaged in health, environmental, agricultural, water and food testing.
Director Mambu told a one-day gathering of farmers and production entities in Monrovia sponsored by a local Liberian Non Governmental Organization LADA/USAID and the Ministry of Commerce recently to work along with the ministry to ensure that goods produced by Liberian farmers are of standard.

But he says testing in specific instances is carried out based on consumers’ needs, on grounds that it is done to avoid poison of commodities in food items. After testing of commodities has been done, he says the enforcement aspect is left with the government to ensure that businesses adhere to testing results.

The NSL Chief says his department supports government effort in the regulation and monitoring of food products in the country, saying a displaying at the gathering was intended to educate farmers and others engaged in production to produce quality and standard products that meet international standards. Director Mambu emphasized that standard trade by Liberian farmers and production entities will bring into the country huge foreign exchange.

By Emmanuel Mondaye-Editing by Winston W. Parley