Veterinary Service Directorate of the Food and Agric Ministry with other state institutions have destroyed a container full of gizzard infected with salmonella.

The products were first levelled with a landfill compactor and then moved into an excavated part of the Kpone landfill.

Two companies between December 2018, and February 2019, imported into Ghana four containers of poultry products from Brazil.

Brazilian authorities in February 2019 issued a health alert to Ghanaian authorities of harmful bacteria presence in the products.

However, three out of the four containers were cleared from Tema port onto the market in March 2019 before authorities at the port received the alert.

The remaining container was then detained at the port pending destruction.

Veterinary Services led by Dr Asiedu Baah, Customs, National Security among other stakeholders were however unsuccessful in destroying the remaining container last month at Kpone landfill.

This was partly due to acquiring a permit from Tema Metropolitan Assembly which manages the site among other factors.

Head of Veterinary Regulatory Unit at the Tema port told the media that the destruction bit has finally taken place.

“ We have finally been able to destroy it together with other unwholesome poultry products. We would like to assure the public that imported products will be subjected to rigorous checks to ensure the safety of consumers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr George Bonnah wants importers to secure required permit before bringing products into the country.

“ If you want to import any product of animal origin, you need a permit to do so. Our sector ministry will take care it once you provide the necessary information, he said.

Dr George Bonnah is cautioning the public against consuming unwholesome products.

He also called for close collaboration among state agencies responsible for imported animal products to avert recurrence of this.