The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has hinted at shutting down canteens and food service departments operating without a Food Hygiene Permit.
The Authority has issued warning to all unlicensed food service enterprises, stating that they will be subject to “requisite regulatory sanctions, which may include closure of facilities, fines, and/or criminal prosecutions” if they do not obtain the Food Hygiene Permit by February 29, 2024.
The FDA encouraged corporate, hospital, and school canteens to make sure that their food service establishments “are inspected and licensed by the FDA.”
According to the authority, the move will safeguard the public from the possibility of disease outbreaks and epidemics occurring within the nation or among its populace from food contamination.
Institutions are thus instructed “to insist that vendors who apply for or are awarded contracts must, as part of the institution’s requirements, provide valid food hygiene permits,” according to a statement signed by FDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Delese Mimi Darko
“Please note that a list of licensed food service establishments is available on our website or can always be requested from any of our offices nationwide,” the statement added.
The FDA has, therefore, urged the public to report any food service establishments without a food hygiene permit to the FDA and has cautioned the public to keep an eye out for such permits, which it stated must be displayed at a position within the facility visible to the public.
Read full Notice from FDA below
