The Eastern Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority, Samuel Kwakye says the Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service will soon clamp down on illegal food operators in the region.

The move, according to him, is to enforce part 7 section 97(1) of the Public Health Acts, 851, 2012 which states:“A person shall not manufacture, import, export, distribute, sell or supply food or expose food for sale unless the Authority has registered the food”.

The exercise will help sanitize the industry which will lead to safeguarding public health and safety.

He was speaking during a stakeholder engagement and training program for water manufacturing producers in the Eastern Region. 

The aim of the engagement is to foster good relationship with stakeholders.

Mr. Kwakye said the water producing industry is very important, as such, it is the vision of the FDA to help them to sustain their business.

Mr. Kwakye reiterated that the key responsibility of the FDA is to ensure product quality and safety and called on them to continue to adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP) in their daily activities that will assure the quality and safety of their products.

While stressing that it is not the priority of the Food and Drugs Authority to make things difficult for food operators, he added that accessing the services of the FDA should not be a problem.

He called on them to report all illegal manufacturers to the FDA to help the authority sanitize the industry.

Mr. Richard Abotsivia, Vice Chairman, National Association of Sachet & Packaged Water Producers said their Association was not left out of the hardship during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and called for some reliefs to cushion their operations.

He also said they are ready to collaborate with the Authority to flush out illegal operators in a bid to sanitize the business. 

He ended by commending the FDA for their responsiveness over the years and support which has helped them to grow their business.