In a concerted effort to improve food safety and ensure adequate iodine nutrition, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has partnered with UNICEF to train Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and FDA Regulatory Officers in food safety inspections and monitoring.
The training workshop, held in Accra, focused on improving the quality and iodisation practices of salt in Ghana.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the FDA Chief Executive Officer, The Head of Food Safety and Consumer Education Department from the FDA highlighted the workshop’s alignment with the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), Section 107, which mandates the fortification of food to protect public health.
“This workshop is part of our collective efforts to ensure that all food products, particularly salt, meet the required health and safety standards to protect public health and eradicate preventable diseases such as goitre from our country,” the statement read.
The collaboration between the FDA and UNICEF is central to addressing iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs), a public health challenge that affects many communities in Ghana.
According to the FDA, salt iodisation is a critical intervention for eradicating IDDs and safeguarding the health of Ghanaians.
In 2023, the FDA and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGDRD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at harmonising regulatory operations.
This partnership includes providing training to Environmental Health Officers to enhance their competencies in food safety inspections and monitoring.
The workshop emphasised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and focused on enhancing the quality and safety of salt produced in artisanal salt operations.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage with facilitators and leverage the training to contribute to the broader mission of improving food safety and quality in Ghana.
The FDA reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to enforce regulations and ensure that salt consumed by Ghanaians is of the highest quality and adequately iodised.
This initiative is expected to strengthen Ghana’s salt iodisation program and contribute significantly to public health outcomes by reducing iodine deficiency-related diseases.
The FDA extended its gratitude to all participants and partners, including UNICEF, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, for their dedication to enhancing food safety and quality in Ghana.
The workshop marks another step forward in the FDA’s mission to safeguard the health of all Ghanaians through effective food regulation and partnerships.
