Don’t patronize food from unregistered establishments – FDA to Ghanaians

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is cautioning the general public to desist from contracting and patronizing the services of Food Service Establishments (FSEs) that have not obtained a valid Food Hygiene Permit from the Foods and Drugs Authority.

According to the Authority, it cannot guarantee the quality of the operators and the safety of food sold in establishments that do not have valid Food Hygiene Permits.

By the  FDA’s code of Hygienic Practices for Food Service Establishments in the Hospitality Industry, a Food Service Establishment is an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption such as a restaurant, satellite or catered feeding location.

A statement issued by the Authority reminded the operators and contract caterers to regularize their activities with the Food and Drugs Authority in accordance with Section 130 of the Public Health Act 2010, Act 851, which states that “A person shall not supply or store products regulated under this part except in premises registered for that purpose under this part.”

FDA among other things warned that sanctions will be meted out to Food Service Establishments that fail to acquire the required regulatory permits by 1^st January, 2020 as notice of some unregistered Food Service Establishments have been circulating on social media.

Also, details of establishments with Food Hygiene Permits will be published on the Authority’s website quarterly and their permits would be clearly displayed at their premises.

“The general public is encouraged to report activities of such establishments that are likely to endanger public health and safety to the Authority through the following numbers: 0800151000, 0299802933, 0299802932, 0206973065 and 4015,” the statement added.