While many new manufacturing entrants haven't met the required industry standards which can be a setback for the industry, Manufacturers Council of PNG chief executive officer Chey Scovell believed that the industry may recover this year.
According to him, many entrants lack The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) equivalents which is a food safety system, designed to control the production processes.
He added that unlike now, five or six years ago, 99 per cent of all manufacturers in PNG were making products safe.
“The functions of approvals and licensing are the responsibility of provincial and local level governments,” he said. “But it’s clear that there is a lack of competence and likely an abundance of inducement going on. Certainly, we have put our hands up to do it in partnership with the government, but to date, it’s fallen on deaf ears.”
He also noted that the Department of Health has failed to maintain the National Food Sanitation Council board.
“It’s unacceptable and this needs to be the starting point.,” he said. “The lack of governance needs to be addressed, and it requires merit-based not political appointees without the necessary knowledge and experience.”
