The Greater Accra Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Director, Douglas Tagoe, has warned Ghanaians to buy food from hygienic restaurants or eating places to avoid food poisoning.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on the issue of food safety and food wholesomeness in the national capital, Mr. Tagoe, said ”most of these foods come into the city from corners, some behind drains, as well as behind the public toilets”.
He said the preparation of food at unhygienic places poses a grave danger of food poisoning to unsuspecting consumers, and as such, people need to be mindful of where they patronize food.
The interview followed incidents of suspected food poisoning at Marwako Restaurant recently, which led to the closure of some branches of the restaurant.
He cautioned food vendors against the use of rotten vegetables, especially, tomatoes in preparing food because it is dangerous for consumption.
Mr. Tagoe urged customers to” inspect the health certificate of food vendors to be sure of what they are buying.
He also advised food vendors to ”always practice proper hygiene when preparing and selling food for the safety of all”.
Food poisoning symptoms
If you have food poisoning, chances are it won’t go undetected.
Symptoms can vary depending on the source of the infection.
Common causes of food poisoning will typically include a few of the following symptoms:
- abdominal cramps
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- mild fever
- weakness
- headache