The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has joined the global community in commemorating World Food Safety Day 2026, calling for collective action to address foodborne diseases and promote safer food systems across Ghana.
This year’s celebration is under the theme, “From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere,” which highlights the need to move beyond identifying the challenges posed by foodborne illnesses and focus on implementing practical, science-based solutions that ensure food safety throughout the food value chain.
In a statement issued on Sunday June 7, the FDA noted that millions of foodborne illness cases are recorded globally each year, making food safety a critical public health concern. The Authority emphasized the importance of ensuring food remains safe from production and processing through to distribution and consumption.
As Ghana’s national regulator responsible for protecting public health, the FDA said it continues to implement a comprehensive food safety system that includes the registration of food products, licensing of food establishments, routine inspections, laboratory testing, and enforcement of food safety regulations.
The Authority also monitors both locally produced and imported food products to prevent unsafe or substandard items from reaching consumers.
The statement further highlighted the FDA’s collaboration with industry players, local authorities, and international partners to strengthen food safety systems and respond to emerging risks. Public education, the Authority stressed, remains a cornerstone of its strategy, with continuous awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes aimed at promoting good hygiene practices and proper food handling.
To mark World Food Safety Day 2026, the FDA has outlined several nationwide activities designed to translate food safety challenges into actionable solutions.
These include market durbars and sensitization programmes for food vendors and consumers, educational tours in primary and secondary schools to promote safe food practices among children, and community engagement sessions at churches, mosques, and other public gathering places.
The Authority described food safety as a shared responsibility, urging all stakeholders, including food producers, vendors, institutions, and consumers, to play active roles in safeguarding public health by adhering to food safety standards.
The FDA also called on the public to remain vigilant, follow recommended food safety practices, and report any suspected unsafe food products to the Authority for prompt action.
“Together, through collective effort and sustained commitment, Ghana can move from burden to solutions and achieve safe food for all,” the statement concluded.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | David Adapuna
