The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is calling for legislation to regulate corn mills and other milling outlets across Ghana, warning that poor hygiene practices could expose consumers to food contamination.
The Authority says stronger regulation, regular inspections and improved sanitation are needed to ensure that milling operations meet acceptable food safety standards.
Head of Food Industrial Support Services at the FDA, Ebenezer Kofi Essel, said Ghana must reconsider its continued reliance on traditional commercial milling systems, which he believes may create potential food safety risks.
According to him, the country should gradually move away from traditional milling methods and adopt safer, modern technologies that can reduce the risk of contamination during food processing.
Mr. Essel also called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to step up inspections of milling outlets within their jurisdictions.
He said the inspections should focus particularly on sanitation, hygiene practices and the operators’ compliance with food safety requirements.
The call comes as the Madina La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly’s Sanitation Department intensifies inspections of milling outlets at the Madina Market.
During the exercise, sanitation officers assessed the general conditions of the facilities, including the quality and source of water being used for milling.
Head of the Assembly’s Sanitation Department, Daniel Tetteh, said the Assembly is leading efforts to ensure that mill operators within the municipality obtain the necessary health certification.
He explained that the certification is intended to promote better hygiene practices among millers and reduce potential health risks to consumers.
Some milling operators welcomed the inspection, saying the exercise would help improve standards and encourage businesses in the sector to adopt better hygiene practices.
The FDA believes stronger collaboration between regulators, local authorities and milling operators will be critical to improving food safety and protecting consumers across the country.
