The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations, has commemorated the 2023 World Food Safety Day (WFSD).
This was done with other stakeholders such as Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) of the USAID.
The celebration was held on Tuesday in Kumasi, under the theme: “Food Standards Save Lives”.
According to FDA, report from WHO shows that, food-borne diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year and food standards help us to ensure what we eat is safe.
“WHO also estimates that billions of dollars are lost in productivity due to unsafe foods in low and middle-income countries including Ghana” it added.
FDA noted that they have adopted various strategies and initiatives to promote food safety in Ghana.
“such as the introduction of the Street Food Vending Permit for street food vendors. Innovative regulatory measures including market surveillance, licensing of food production and preparation premises, and public education are employed by the FDA to ensure the safety of food consumed by the public” it emphasize.
“As part of activities lined up for this year’s WFSD celebrations, various stakeholders will be engaged in an open forum panel discussion on the topic “Food Safety Regulations in Ghana with a focus on Exported Products.” This discussion will address questions on stakeholders’ contribution to regulating food standards along the food value chain in Ghana to help improve international trade, address how to overcome food trade barriers caused by poor standards, public education and draw the world’s attention to the implications of unsafe foods on our health” it added.
It said that everyone has a responsibility to promote and uphold food standards in order to save lives.
This year marks the fifth World Food Safety Day (WFSD) and seeks to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agricultural production, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
Grace Acheampong, ISD