The Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of Ketu North Municipal Assembly in collaboration with Johnmic Medlab Centre, NCCE – Ketu North and Nutrition Unit – Ketu North organized 2023 annual Seminar for all Public Food/ Drink Handlers (Food vendors, Drinks sellers, Operators of eateries and restaurants, Butchers, Millers, etc) – all those who have a hand in food/drink meant for public consumption in the Ketu North Municipality.
The exercise was led by Mr. Horsu Cephas (Municipal Environmental Health Officer) with support from Environmental Health Officers in charge of the various Zones within the Municipality.
The exercise took place in Ehie, Dekpor, Tadzewu, Weta, Afife, Dzodze and Penyi on 24th, 25th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 30th January and 1st February, 2023 respectively.
EHIE
DEKPOR
TADZEWU
WETA
AFIFE
DZODZE
PENYI
Speakers at the event included: Mr. Horsu Cephase ( Municipal Environmental Health Officer), Mr. Agor Dzifa ( Zonal Environmental Health Officer), Mr. Kpativor Wisdom (Environmental Health Prosecutor), Madam Stella Nuque ( Nutrition Officer – Ketu North Health Directorate) and Mr. Afealete Prosper (NCCE director – Ketu North).
The exercise was to achieve the following purpose:
- Dissemination of the general outlook of health status of all public food handlers based on the 2022 Annual Medical Screening exercise
- Health education on topical issues related to food safety and security.
- Providing detailed information on the modalities of the 2023 medical screening exercise to be conducted soon and other related matters.
The topical issues discussed were:
. PERSONAL HYGIENE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT:
- Regularly wearing of apron and hair protecting cover during cooking and serving food.
- Regular washing of hand with soap under running water.
- Use of alcohol based hand sanitizer.
- Regular use of nose mask when serving food.
- Covering of mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Regular maintenance of neat finger nails
- Proper waste storage and collection eg. (always have dustbin with fitting cover).
- Proper methods of solid waste management and its benefits ie. (Reduce, Reuse, Recover and Recycling).
FOOD NUTRITION, SAFETY AND SECURITY:
- Always use iodate salt to prepare food.
- Always use Natural Spices to prepare food.
- Avoid too much salt and sugar in your food.
- Always check food products thoroughly (Expiring Date, Dented can and bloated can) before buying.
- Avoid over heating of food.
- Store raw food and cooked food separately to prevent contamination.
- Always eat seasonal fruits.
- Attending of periodic medical examination.
REVIEW OF LAST YEAR’S MEDICAL SCREENING OUTCOME AND THE WAY FORWARD:
- The total number of the food handlers/vendors screened.
- The total cases detected.
- The total number with high blood pressure.
- The total number of low blood pressure cases detected.
- The total number of Typhoid cases detected.
- The total number tested with diabetes cases.
- The total number of hepatitis B recorded during the last year’s screening.
- Various ways by which the above health conditions came about and the ways to prevent them.
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW;
Legal implications of any action or inaction committed during and after food preparation with reference to Public Health Act, 2012 (851), section 51 to 53.
Section 51. A person commits an offence if that person sells, serves or offers for sale food that is unwholesome or unfit for human or animal. Sale of food under insanitary conditions.
Section 52. (1) A person shall not sell, prepare, package, convey, store or display for sale, food under insanitary conditions to the public. Food unfit for consumption.
Section 53. (1) A person shall not (a)sell offer or expose for sale, or have in possession for sale, or (b)deposit with or consign to a person for the purpose of sale, food intended for but unfit for human or animal consumption.
NOTE:
A person who contravenes these subsections commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than one thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than four years or to both