The Deputy Municipal Health Officer in the Yilo Krobo Municipal of the Eastern Region has reminded food sellers that it is illegal to sell food without the necessary compliances of the Public Health Act. According to him, offenders stand the risk of severe penalties if they fail to renew their food certification licenses. Mr. Daniel Kwaku Darku gave the reminder when he appeared as guest on Rite FM’s Food, Safety and Nutrition show on Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview with host of the show, Nana Ama Sarfo, Mr. Darku in highlighting the penalties of the neglect of the laws noted that offenders stand the risk of suffering such penalties as a fine (Gh c 500) or a three-month prison term depending on the gravity of the offence.
The criminal code categorically spells out the procedures food vendors must follow to acquire license, its renewal and its default penalties.
The Deputy Municipal Health Officer said it is the responsibility of the health institutions to protect the health of the public that is why it must make sure that, foods are sold under conducive, clean and communicable diseases free environment.
This, he clarified, explains why food sellers as part of the certification process are also screened for diseases such as typhoid before giving them the go ahead to run, adding that vendors are subjected to similar screening and certificate renewal on an annual basis.
Source: Prince Paul Amuzu/ritefmonline.org
