The Food and Drugs Board has drawn up a programme to meet food safety concerns nationwide. A Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the board in charge of the Food Division, Kwamina Van-Ess said the board would support operators in the hospitality industry to improve on and sustain a high level of food safety in the country. He said the exercise would begin on February 1 this year. According to him, the exercise had become necessary in view of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations which would draw people from all walks of life into the country. He indicated that the exercise would be undertaken in collaboration with the Ghana Tourist Board adding that the board would liaise with district assemblies and Public health departments to educate street vendors on how best they could ensure food safety for consumers. Mr Van-Ess said the board would also educate operator in small scale industries such as cocoa drink, sachet water, pineapple drink, as well as bakery and confectionery industries. He therefore called on consumers to be on the alert t report anything unwholesome to the board for the necessary action to be taken. Mr Van-Ess said food handling in the country was poor as a result of people’s attitude towards it. He indicated that currently the board had inspected 197 restaurants and catering departments of the various hotels in Accra, out of which 13 had been recommended to the GTB for closure. He said in November last year the board went round to seize expired food products which would have found their way onto the market during the Christmas season. He called on the general public to put safety concerns into consideration in order not to put pressure on the National Health Insurance Scheme. Source: Daily Graphic