Have you ever considered how measurements affect the appearance, taste, texture or smell of your food? The amount of each ingredient added to any food product, the time taken between preparation and consumption and the temperature at which it is stored are among ways in which the right or wrong measurements can impact the food you consume. On Saturday, May 20, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joined with other measurement institutions globally to commemorate World Metrology Day (WMD) 2023 under the theme “Measurements Supporting the Global Food System.”
The theme for this year places the spotlight on measurement and its importance in food production where reliable and traceable measurements of temperature, mass, volume and pressure is crucial.
To better support the food industry in Guyana, the GNBS conducts verification and calibration of measuring instruments such as thermometers which play a critical role in quality control during the preparation and storage of food products. The Bureau also verifies hopper, electronic, platform and weigh bridge scales used in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors during food production and distribution. Further, instruments used in commerce at shops, supermarkets and other retail outlets to buy and sell food and other products are verified and monitored for accuracy.
On the national and global scale, time is measured to ensure food is produced in accordance with supply and demand. This allows farmers and producers to effectively avoid spoilage or shortage of specific food products and provide sufficient items for the population to consume.
In keeping with this year’s WMD theme, the GNBS conducted free trainings for local manufacturers and agro processors in Regions Two, Four and Six on the importance of metrology in food production. Topics addressed include the use of scales approved for trade, the printing of accurate net contents on pre-packaged goods, and the responsibility of the manufacturers to ensure there is accuracy in trade.
WMD is dedicated to the signing of the Metre Convention by delegates from seventeen countries in Paris, France on May 20, 1875, paving the way for a universally recognized standard measurement system now commonly known as the Metric Units. The metric units of measurement were adopted by Guyana on January 01, 2002 and business persons involved in the packaging of food products and other items are reminded that net contents must be printed in metric units.
As the National Measurement Institute, the GNBS promotes the use of the metric units and is mandated to enforce the 1981 Weights and Measurements Act, working with stakeholders across the various sectors to ensure measuring instruments used in trade, manufacturing, transportation among others, are accurate.
As we observed World Metrology Day, we continue to remind stakeholders within the various sectors and consumers to ensure they adopt and implement the International System of Metrics (Metric System) during daily activities.
In addition to ensuring reliable measurements, the GNBS offers training on national and international standards which are geared towards the promotion of safe and healthy food practices.
Finally, to enhance transparency of measurements especially in food production, the GNBS for WMD 2023 launched its newest service, the Verification of Net Content on pre-packaged goods. The monitoring of net contents will ensure consumers benefit from the correct weights and measures.
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