The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Central Region has cautioned the public against purchasing and consuming potentially harmful products, especially during the Christmas festive season, under the guise of promotions and discounted prices.
The FDA has raised concerns about the prevalent practice of releasing products nearing their expiration date into the market at significantly reduced prices, posing risks to unsuspecting consumers during the holiday season.
Francisca Obeng, the Principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, emphasized in an interview with the Ghana News Agency the importance of purchasing only FDA-approved products. She urged the public to be proactive in safeguarding their health and personal safety by scrutinizing expiration and manufacturing dates, as well as avoiding products that appear bloated or dented.
“It is also very important to pay attention to the storage conditions of the products; ensure that the food you are buying is not directly under the sun or on the floor or in any other unwholesome condition,” she said.
Madam Obeng emphasized that consumers of ready-to-eat foods should check for the Food Hygiene Permits and Street Food Vending Permits of the sellers to ensure that they are purchasing from safe and approved sources.
“If you have to buy food from the street, be sure that the vendor is medically certified, keeps good hygiene principles and has a hand washing station with a neat environment,” she said.