RWANDA – The Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition, and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) have issued a call to cease the use of paper bags and non-biodegradable sacks for packaging meat across the country.
The initiative is aligned with the 2010 Ministerial Order on the transport and trade of meat, specifically Article 9, which prohibits the use of unclean or previously used non-washable materials for meat packing, including paper.
Gaspard Simbarikure, Veterinary Hygiene and Quarantine Specialist at RICA emphasized that packaging meat in paper bags is illegal under the existing law.
Simbarikure suggested consumers opt for reusable materials such as dishes and other food containers, stressing the potential for chemical reactions between meat and substances in the paper or sack.
“We’re encouraging clients to look for their bags, especially plastic boxes, or use household materials. It could have been implemented since 2010, so we’re now sensitizing people to implement it, and we will continue doing that,” Simbarikure stated.
However, some local businesses find the directive challenging, expressing concerns about customers being unprepared for the change.
Hamissa Uwase, a butcher shop owner in Musanze, noted the complexity of the situation, highlighting that consumers do not appreciate the initiative.
“When we tell clients that packing meat in paper bags is prohibited, they leave, some come back but others don’t,” he said.
Elton Nkurunziza, a representative of meat butchers in Musanze District, welcomed the ban on paper bags but acknowledged the difficulties faced by many customers, especially travellers who may not carry washable materials.
He recommended the government explore alternative options like degradable plastic bags, expressing the challenge of adapting to the new directive.
RICA acknowledged the challenges faced by businesses and consumers and disclosed that some investors have expressed interest in manufacturing biodegradable plastic bags as eco-friendly and cost-effective packaging materials.
Simbarikure expressed optimism about the potential establishment of a manufacturing factory for such bags in Rwanda, offering a sustainable solution for meat packaging materials.
“The shift away from paper bags for meat packaging aligns with global efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices and ensures the safety and quality of meat products in compliance with existing regulations.”
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