FDA Collaborates with SHEP Coordinators and Environmental Health Officers on Food Safety

Enhancing Food Safety through Collaborative Efforts

In a bid to strengthen food safety measures, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) recently held an engagement session with School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinators and Environmental Health Officers in the Ashanti Region. This initiative was part of the broader activities celebrating World Food Safety Day, emphasizing the importance of science and collaboration in ensuring safe food for all.

The FDA’s efforts are aligned with its core mandate to protect and promote public health by ensuring that food is safe, nutritious, and wholesome. The event aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively carry out their supervisory roles in maintaining food safety standards in schools and public spaces.

This year’s World Food Safety Day was themed “Food Safety: Science in Action,” highlighting the critical role of scientific research and evidence-based practices in safeguarding the food supply chain. The theme underlines how science plays a vital role in preventing foodborne illnesses and protecting public health from potential hazards.

With support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the FDA has taken a proactive approach in engaging key stakeholders who are responsible for enforcing food safety regulations. By working closely with these individuals, the FDA aims to ensure that the public is protected from consuming unsafe or unwholesome food.

During the interactive session, SHEP Coordinators and Environmental Health Officers discussed pressing issues related to food safety and explored practical solutions to address them collectively. The discussions focused on common infractions in food handling, such as poor hygiene practices, improper storage, and lack of awareness about food safety protocols.

Ms. Nora Nakie Teye-Larbie, Director for Regional Operations at the FDA, emphasized that food can become unsafe due to various factors, including microbial contamination, germs, physical impurities, or chemical substances. She highlighted that food safety is a shared responsibility, as contaminated food can have severe consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities.

According to her, food should always be healthy, nutritious, and most importantly, safe for consumption. She stressed that no one should suffer from illness due to the food they eat. To achieve this, she called for continuous engagement with stakeholders to reinforce food safety regulations and ensure compliance across all sectors.

Mr. David Oppong Darko, the Regional Environmental Health Officer, praised the FDA for organizing the insightful training session. He noted that the training would help improve food safety practices among vendors and encourage stronger compliance with regulations across different districts.

He expressed confidence that the participants would apply the knowledge gained during the session to enhance food safety standards in their respective areas. This, he said, would ultimately benefit the public by creating a safer environment for food consumption.

Through such collaborative efforts, the FDA continues to play a crucial role in promoting food safety and protecting public health. By fostering partnerships with key stakeholders and leveraging scientific knowledge, the organization is making significant strides in ensuring that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.