By Nana Achiaa Aboagye
The National Food Safety Laboratory of Veterinary Services Directorate, under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has organized 2023 Stakeholders’ Engagement on Food Safety.
This forms part of activities to mark World Food Safety Month. Regulatory agencies in the sector shared ideas on standards of Food Safety in the country.
Food standards are a way of ensuring food safety and quality. They provide guidance on hygienic food handling for farmers and processors. They define the maximum levels of additives, contaminants, residues of pesticides, and veterinary drugs that can safely be consumed by all.
Furthermore, standards specify how food should be measured, packaged, and transported to keep it safe.
During a panel discussion on Food Security and Safety Standards, in Accra, panelists called for increased awareness creation and concerted efforts to promote food safety on a scientific basis, using a multidisciplinary approach.
It was also agreed that widespread collaboration and contributions of all actors, across the food supply chain, underpinned by robust governance, are essential to food safety.
The President of the Greater Accra Markets Women Association, Mercy Needjan appealed to the market traders to sell good food products to Ghanaians since accessing to safe food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health.
The Director of Food Safety and Consumer Education at the Food and Drugs Authority, Madam Faustina Atobra, called on consumers to look out for the FDA number on the products they buy to ensure safety. She said consumers have a rule to play to ensure food safety and added that they shouldn’t buy from unhygienic places to avoid food-borne diseases.
The Deputy Director of Plant Protection, and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MofA), Mr. Patrick Beseh advised farmers, especially those in urban areas to use quality water on their farms.
He advised farmers to avoid using pesticides when the crops are close to harvesting. He said farmers must be careful about how they apply the chemicals to the crops to protect society from pesticides and microbial contamination and ensure safety.
The theme for this year’s World Food Safety Day celebration is “Food Standards Save Lives”. The programme was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the UK and the Food and Agriculture Organization, Ghana.
