The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public not to accept, consume, sell or distribute any food or other regulated products that have been recovered from floodwaters following the recent flooding in parts of the Greater Accra Region.
In a food safety alert issued on Thursday, July 2, the Authority said it had observed some unidentified individuals retrieving food items from flood-affected areas after the June 29 floods. It also noted that some of these individuals had taken to social media, claiming they intended to distribute the recovered products to members of the public, including students.
The FDA warned that food exposed to floodwaters cannot be considered safe because it may have been contaminated by sewage, chemicals, waste and harmful microorganisms carried by the flood.
According to the Authority, consuming such products could expose people to serious health risks, including foodborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery.
“The FDA cannot vouch for the safety or quality of these products, as they may have been contaminated by floodwaters and mishandling, which could pose a serious risk to public health,” the statement said.
The Authority therefore urged the public to avoid accepting, buying, selling or sharing any food or regulated products recovered from floodwaters.
It also advised households to throw away any food that has come into contact with floodwater and to drink only safe water. Where the safety of water is uncertain, the FDA recommended boiling it for at least five minutes before use.
As part of measures to prevent disease outbreaks, the Authority encouraged regular handwashing with soap and safe water before preparing meals, before eating and after handling flood-contaminated materials.
It further advised residents to thoroughly clean and disinfect food preparation surfaces, kitchen utensils, refrigerators and food storage areas that may have been exposed to floodwater. Consumers were also reminded to keep raw and cooked foods separate to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
The FDA urged the public to remain vigilant when purchasing food products and report any suspected sale or distribution of flood-damaged or unsafe food to the Authority through its nearest office or official social media platforms.
It added that it is working with relevant agencies to monitor food safety in affected communities and will take the necessary regulatory action to protect public health.
