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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a warning, stating that it reserves the right to shut down canteens and food service units in public institutions if they operate without a valid Food Hygiene Permit from the authority.
In light of this, the FDA has advised all unlicensed food service establishments to obtain the Food Hygiene Permit by February 29, 2024.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in regulatory actions, including facility closures, fines, and potential criminal prosecutions.
As a result, it has recommended that canteens in schools, hospitals, and all corporate establishments ensure that their food service facilities “undergo inspection and receive licensing from the FDA.”
Additionally, it has urged them “to exclusively engage licensed caterers for corporate meetings/lunches and daily meals for students and patients.”
The authority emphasized that this warning is crucial to safeguard the public against the risk of disease transmission and potential outbreaks within the country or specific populations.
In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, institutions are advised “to mandate vendors seeking or awarded contracts to furnish valid Food Hygiene Permits as part of the institution’s requirements.”
Institutional canteens or caterers lacking Food Hygiene Permits are urged to promptly rectify their status by applying for the permit and facilitating food safety inspections of their facilities.
NKONKONSA.com
