Observe hygienic protocols – FDA advises food sellers

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has asked food vendors to observe all hygienic protocols during this era of the outbreak of the COVID-19.

It said unlike other viruses such as the hepatitis, that could be transmitted through food, as of now, there was no clinical or scientific evidence that COVID-19 could be spread through food.

“That notwithstanding, it is expected that persons who handle food will take all the necessary precautions with regards to personal hygiene,” the Head of Food Industry Support Services Department of the FDA Mr kofi Essel stated in an interview in Accra.

Hygienic practices

In a reaction to speculations that the virus could be transmitted through food, he said for now, the understanding was that the virus could not be transmitted through food, but cautioned that at all times, hygienic practices were required of people who sell food to the public.

“The advice we give to food vendors is to enhance personal hygiene at all times, particularly regular hand washing with soap under running water.

“The consumers should also make sure that they wash their hands thoroughly before they eat with their hands because we love using our fingers to eat,” Mr Essel told the Daily Graphic.

Clean environment

He asked the food vendors to desist from scratching their hairs, pricking their noses and should ensure that they wear the appropriate apparel.

“They should make sure that their utensils are clean, the food preparation area is clean and they should not entertain pests,” Mr Essel advised the vendors.

He said the current challenge had to do with the eating habits of most Ghanaians, who patronized food at traffic lights and in traffic from hawkers.

Mr Essel questioned the personal hygienic level of the hawkers, who dipped their hands into the container with their bare hands.

“We want to advise consumers that this is not the time to be buying food in traffic and just eating them anyhow,” he said, adding that passengers should minimise the patronage of food such as bread, iced cream and others.

He said the FDA and the various government agencies were doing their part to ensure that everyone was protected and in safe state, “but your health is your primary responsibility.”

Eating habit
Mr Essel advised the general public to watch their eating habits, urging the public not to eat at places that did not have robust hygienic practices.

“For now, if you go any restaurant to eat and there is not running water and soap in the restaurant and in the washrooms, then advice yourself. Don’t eat there.

“Also, this is not the time to go and stand by a koko seller who is not using a laden with a long handle but continue to use a cup, during the process, her finger touches the koko ,” he further advised the public.

He said generally, “we are in not normal times” and people needed to understand that and act cautiously, “because even though the seller has the responsibility, you the consumer has the biggest responsibility.”

Mr Essel further advised that everyone should make food safety a priority and desist from patronizing food anyhow irrespective of the safety of the environment where the food was sold.