The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has cautioned the public against patronising unlicensed food vendors.
The FDA said in a release on Tuesday that it could not guarantee the quality of operations and safety of food sold in unlicensed Food Service Establishments.
The release urged schools, corporate and health institutions to ensure that vendors who apply for or are awarded contracts must, as part of the institution’s requirements, provide valid Food Hygiene Permits.
“This is to ensure that only safe food is served to students, workers and patients of your establishments and also to prevent the risk of food borne illnesses,” FDA said.
The FDA added that the full list of all licensed food service establishments is available on its website, urging the general public also to patronise only licensed food service establishments.
It urged Institutional canteens or caterers without the Food Hygiene Permits to take immediate steps to regularize their activities with the FDA, by applying for the Food Hygiene Permit and making their facilities available for food safety inspections,” the FDA said.
The regulator cautioned all unlicensed Food Service Establishments to acquire the Food Hygiene Permits by 29th February 2024 or risk attracting the requisite regulatory sanctions, including closure of facilities, fines and/or criminal prosecutions.