The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has shut down two unlicensed sachet water production facilities and a cold store in the Greater Accra Region after inspectors uncovered serious hygiene and food safety violations that posed significant public health risks.
The closures followed an inspection exercise on Wednesday as part of the authority’s nationwide enforcement campaign.
Over the past two weeks, the exercise has resulted in the temporary closure of 59 food manufacturing and cold storage facilities in the East and West municipalities, comprising 44 food manufacturing establishments and more than 15 cold stores.
FDA officials found out that the affected sachet water producers were using untreated drinking water and algae-contaminated water for production. Food products intended for sale were also being stored under poor hygienic conditions.
Inspectors further observed that most of the producers lacked ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation systems, resulting in untreated water being packaged for public consumption.
The authority was, however, unable to shut down another targeted facility because its operators had vacated the premises before inspectors arrived, suggesting they may have been tipped off.
The inspection covered Kwabenya, Ashongman Estate and Amansaman.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, the FDA’s Head of Communications, Mrs Rhoda Appiah, said the operation formed part of the authority’s routine inspection and enforcement activities aimed at protecting public health.
She explained that under Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), all food production facilities must be registered or licensed before commencing operations.
Mrs Appiah warned that businesses operating without valid licences risk temporary closure, confiscation of products, administrative fines of up to GH¢30,000 and possible prosecution.
She urged consumers to buy only FDA-approved products from licensed manufacturers and verify that packaged food products carry valid FDA registration numbers before purchase.
She stressed that affected facilities would resume operations only after implementing all corrective measures and fully complying with the authority’s regulatory requirements.
BY NELLY QUARCOOPOME
