The Central Regional branch of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has admonished the public to be wary of buying and consuming poisonous products during the Christmas festive season.
The FDA says the public should not be swayed into buying these expired and poisonous items because of promotions and cheap prices.
The FDA reports that near-expiry products were frequently sold at low prices to the public during the season.
The Principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, Francisca Obeng, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, advised Ghanaians to take responsibility for their health and personal safety by checking the expiry and manufacturing dates and avoiding bloated and dented products.
“It is also very important to pay attention to the storage conditions of the products; ensure that the food you are buying is not directly under the sun or on the floor or in any other unwholesome condition,” she said.
She also urged the public to look out for the Food Hygiene Permits and Street Food Vending Permits of the sellers before the purchase from them.
“If you have to buy food from the street, be sure that the vendor is medically certified, keeps good hygiene principles and has a hand washing station with a neat environment,” she said.
She further revealed that the Authority was still working relentlessly to ensure public health safety through market surveillance, public education, and routine inspections.
Madam Obeng announced the Authority’s achievements in the region, including disposing of eight tonnes of expired, unwholesome, and unregistered products at the Nkanfoa Landfill site in Cape Coast, and registering more products through the Progressive Licensing Scheme for small-scale businesses.
“We also increased visibility in the market by ensuring increase in market surveillance and more encounters with the public to educate them on food and drug safety,” she added.
Going forward, she assured that they would continue to encourage local cottage and small-scale industries to register their products with the FDA.
“The FDA will intensify the provision of industrial and technical support to industries while ensuring the continuous flow of information regarding our regulatory products,” Madam Obeng added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
