The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has taken into custody a food vendor known as Faustina Naana Eshien, situated at the OA Bus Terminal in Accra, for vending spoiled food to unsuspecting customers.
She was apprehended by the Public Health Department on Tuesday, August 2, 2023, following a social media post by Obaa Yaa Bediide on the Trotro Diaries platform.
The post disclosed the sale of subpar food after a purchase was made from the said vendor.
Faustina Naana Eshien admitted to the act, citing lack of customers as the rationale. She also resorted to dividing the cost of the chicken, priced at GHC20, into two portions.
Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr. Gilbert Ankrah, noted that aside vending deteriorated fried chicken for public consumption, Fautina neglected to acquire the essential medical health certification.
Such actions contravene the AMA’s regulations and the provisions outlined in the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) Section 100 (3). This section explicitly proscribes the sale or offering for sale of tainted or unsuitable food meant for human or animal consumption. This includes food containing unclean, putrid, decayed, or unhealthy animal or plant substances.
In response, the food vendor will be subjected to legal proceedings to serve as a deterrent for potential offenders.
Mr. Ankrah encouraged the general public to insist on inspecting food handler’s certificates from vendors before making any purchases.
In addition, he advised food vendors in the metropolis to strictly adhere to the five keys to safer food: “keep clean, separate raw and cooked foods, cook food thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.”
He urged individuals lacking food handlers’ certification to avail themselves at the AMA or its affiliated Assemblies for assessment, aimed at upholding consumer safety.
Mr. Ankrah highlighted the consistent commitment of Public Health officers in monitoring food vendors to guarantee adherence to safety protocols, as stipulated by the AMA’s regulations and public health mandates.
Underscoring the shared responsibility for upholding food safety, from its production to consumption, he lauded the individual who reported the misconduct of the food vendor, emphasizing their valuable contribution in unveiling such unethical practices.