The Food and Drugs Board has hinted that it would soon prosecute companies production sachet water under unhygienic conditions. Already, the Board has clamped down on a number of unregistered companies who have been operating illegally within the Accra, Tema and Kumasi metropolis. Currently about five people have been invited to assist the Board in investigating the matter, and if found guilty, they would be made to face the full rigors of the law. The Head of Animal Products and Bio-Safety Department of the Food and Drugs Board, Dr. Emmanuel Arthur disclosed this in an interview with Adom Business News. He noted that with the rising figures of the cholera epidemic in the country, FDB has begun touring lorry stations and restaurants to educate food and sachet water vendors on some basic principles on food safety. "We believe in the principle that knowledge is equivalent to prevention when it comes to food safety. Once we equip people with the necessary knowledge, they would be able to make informed choices when it comes to food," he stated. Mr. Arthur expressed worry about poor handling of food and water in the country and cautioned consumers to be vigilant and make right choices. "The way we even handle sachet water on our streets is bad, most people buy sachet water on the run in a car without knowing the hygiene status of the seller, whether she just returned from nature's call or not," he stated. Mr. Arthur has, however, appealed for public support in their routine activities of clamping down on manufacturers/importers putting unwholesome product on the markt. He also advised the public against patronizing these five products: Cool Natural Mineral water, NES Acqua, Sure Coolers, Horizon Mineral Water and Chiiter Drinking water , noting that the FDB cannot guarantee their safety and quality. The Board said it would not relent on its efforts to confiscate and clamp down on unregistered companies, describing their activities as criminal. Story by Afia Akyere/Adom News