FDA intensifies market surveillance to enhance food safety
FDA strengthens inspections, laboratory testing and market surveillance to prevent unsafe food products from reaching consumers.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Upper East Region has intensified market surveillance and food safety measures to protect consumers from unsafe food products and reduce the incidence of food-borne diseases.
Speaking on The Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, June 16, Regulatory Officer at the FDA, Jiah Jiato Juah, said the Authority is shifting its focus from merely identifying food safety challenges to implementing practical and sustainable solutions.
This aligns with the theme for this year’s World Food Safety Day, “From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere.”
Juah explained that the FDA collaborates closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other key stakeholders to ensure food safety throughout the entire supply chain, from production and processing to distribution and consumption.
According to him, food products undergo rigorous laboratory testing before they are approved for sale to ensure they are free from harmful contaminants and safe for public consumption.
“We test to be sure that the products are okay and good for consumption. Once we are satisfied, we register the product and grant marketing authorization,” he stated.»
He further noted that the FDA conducts regular inspections of food processing facilities to ensure compliance with established safety standards before licenses are issued for operation.
Juah disclosed that the Authority also carries out routine market surveillance exercises, during which food samples are collected from markets and tested to verify continued compliance with approved standards.
“If we determine that a product is unsafe, we notify the producer to recall either a specific batch or all batches of that product from the market,” he explained.
He urged food producers and processors to adhere strictly to FDA regulations, emphasizing that food safety is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
