FDA issues health alert on cholera

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reiterated the need for food vendors and consumers to observe food and personal hygiene rules in the wake of the cholera epidemic which has claimed about 100 lives. It has in a statement asked consumers to avoid street foods sold under unhygienic conditions, such as close to open gutters, refuse dumps, public toilets etc. People have also been advised to avoid eating street vended salads and cut fruits. As much as possible, the FDA said, these should be prepared and eaten at home. Below is the statement   PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in view of the outbreak of cholera infection in some parts of the country, and as part of its mandate to protect public health and safety, wishes to reiterate the need for food vendors and consumers in general to observe food and personal hygiene rules to avoid contracting and the spread of the disease. The following rules of paramount importance are to be observed:

1. The food vending environment should be maintained clean.
2. Street food vendors should always cover their foods to avoid contamination of foods by houseflies and dirt.
3. Food vendors should keep food at the appropriate temperatures during sale. Hot foods like koko, kenkey, waakye etc. should be maintained and sold  hot and cold foods such as salads maintained on ice and sold  cold.
4. Food vendors should use clean ladles, spoons, tongs etc. in serving dishes.
5. Plates and cutlery should be washed with soap and running water in between uses.
6. Food vendors including sachet water sellers should wash their hands thoroughly  using soap and running water after visiting the toilet.
7. Sachet water sellers should desist from holding up the water from the corners when selling and should always keep their hands clean or wear protective cover on their hands.
8. Sachet water should be purchased from clean vending facilities and sellers who observe personal hygiene.
9. A person must not be involved in the transportation and sale of ready-to-eat foods if he/she experiences abdominal pains, diarrhea and/or vomiting. 
10. It is advisable to avoid eating street vended salads and cut fruits. As much as possible prepare these and eat at home.
11. Fruit and vegetables should be properly washed under running water before eating.
12. Consumers should avoid street foods sold under unhygienic conditions, such as close to open gutters, refuse dumps, public toilets etc.
13. Consumers should ensure that foods such as waakye, kenkey, koko etc. should always be eaten hot. When cold, they should be properly reheated before eating.
14. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water before eating and after visiting the toilet.
15. Itinerant food vendors should not carry their food wares into the public toilet when they visit the toilet.

 In the event that you experience any abdominal pains, diarrhea and/or vomiting, report to the nearest health facility for treatment. TREATMENT OF CHOLERA IS FREE. Additionally, the general public is being assured of FDA’s readiness to ensure public health and safety at all times. For any information or clarification please contact any of the  following numbers: 0244337235, 0244337243, 0244337251 or 0544341221. Food and Drugs Authority – Working for your Health and Safety.     JOHN ODAME-DARKWAH DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (FOOD SAFTEY DIVISION)
Credit: Myjoyonline