Gross inconsistencies in the labeling of bags of cement are rocking the boat again in a market convulsed by the importation of products from China.
Complaints have been made about the differences in the use by dates recommended on the product misleading consumers, causing questions to be raised by other cement sellers.
A label at the top of the sacks warns that the packing date was January 5, 2015 and recommends its use before July 5, 2015.
The construction sector is warning of loss of quality in the product, if the government approves the decree changing the rules for storage and packaging of cement.
In the coming days a decree amending regulations on cement will be published, "... without waiting for the outcome of a commission of experts," led by the National Institute of Technical Standards (Inteco).
The Ministry of Public Works is proposing the creation of a National Asphalt Division, an entity which would be responsible for overseeing the quality of asphalt used on roads.
At the moment, authorization is being awaited from the Ministry of Finance for the creation of the National Asphalt Division which aims to, among other things, regulate the business of manufacturing concrete in the country, as well as improving control of product quality.
The government of Honduras plans to convene an international tender to select a company which will certify the quality of fuels.
The bill on Fuels Marketing will include monitoring fuel quality, a task that initially was to be performed by a laboratory which was installed with the team needed for certification, but as the initiative was unsuccessful, it was agreed instead to hire an international company "...
On 12 and 13 February livestock and dairy sector representatives will be meeting to discuss issues such as primary production and processing of raw materials.
The XIII Congress will be run by the Nicaraguan Chamber of Dairy Sector (CANISLAC) and will include the participation of specialists in the area who will give talks and lectures around two main axes, market demand and the transformation of raw materials.
The event will be held on August 25th and 26th in Guatemala City and will deal with issues related to quality systems and accessing markets with GlobalGAP certifications.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport):
Managing occupational risks, voluntary agreements for improving the environmental services, and best practices for reducing costs, are some of the central issues which will be addressed at the 2014 International Congress on Quality.
Of the 703 products surveyed by the Consumer Ombudsman in El Salvador 75% do not meet the standards set by the law.
This was announced by the chief of the institution, Yanci Urbina, during the first national Codex Alimentarius congress. Some 3,123 products were submitted to analysis, 457 were submitted for safety and 69% breached at least one technical standard or standard under the Consumer Protection Act.
The new rules include packaged foods with high levels of nutrients considered critical such as salt, sugar, saturated fat and calories.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The undersecretary of Public Health in Chile, Jorge Diaz, has unveiled the new rules in the law on food labeling. The document sets out how warnings should be placed on packaged foods with high levels of nutrients considered critical, such as salt, sugar, saturated fat and calories, the rules of which will be subject to public consultation on the website of the Ministry of Health.
The Association of Engineers and Architects has questioned the quality of asphalt being used for road maintenance and construction.
A report by the Panamanian Association of Engineers and Architects (SPIA), "... suggests that the debatable part of the works being carried is the asphalt coating, which is only 5 centimetres thick", reports Prensa.com
Referring to the multi-lane roads, the report notes the presence of defective joints and a variety of surface textures, "The works are not all of superior quality", said the coordinator of the SPIA Road Committee, Gaston Schatan.
The National Assembly has passed a law that will regulate the quality, size and weight of products sold.
In order to standardize the quality of the products that Salvadorans buy and adapt to international standards, the Legislature has approved the "Law for the creation of a Salvadoran Quality System."
When it comes into effect, a period of six months will be given to businesses and the government to take the necessary measures to comply with the new standards.
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