The Central Regional Director of the Food and Drugs Authority, Ms. Francisca Abena Asubonteng Anokye,  has urged all stakeholders in the food value chain to prioritize hygiene from production through to the consumer to prevent foodborne illnesses.

She made the call during a regional sensitization tour at Jukwa, Ankaful, and Elmina Markets in the Region as part of activities marking this year's World Food Safety Day, observed under the theme, “From Burden to Solutions, Food Safety Everywhere.”

“Food hygiene must be prioritized from production to consumer, unsafe food is a threat to everyone. We all have a role to play in keeping what we eat safe,” Ms. Anokye noted.

Team of the region's FDA Directorate engaged market traders on safe food handling, personal hygiene, storage practices, and the dangers of selling expired or contaminated products.

Ms. Francisca Anokye emphasized vigilance on expiration dates and proper care of goods before they are sold to the public. She cautioned that negligence at any point in the food chain puts lives at risk and burdens the health system.

Traders of the three (3) markets visited by officers of FDA expressed excitement over the exercise they touted as educative and thanked the food regulatory authority for the engagement.

Several market women said the training was timely and pledged to improve how they store and display food items.

The FDA said it will continue market surveillance and public education to ensure compliance with food safety standards across the Central Region.

Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan