The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has seized nine bags of maggot-infested salted fish belonging to Esi Bawa, a local distributor on transit to Obuasi, a gold mining community in the Ashanti Region of Ghana for sale to the general public.
The distributor Esi Bawa was arrested on Friday, November 3, 2023, in the afternoon by Public Health Officers upon a tip-off at the VIP lorry terminal at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
The Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr Gilbert Ankrah, who disclosed this to the media said the operations formed part of an ongoing effort to ensure the safety of food products made available to the public.
He noted that the action violated the AMA’s bye-law and the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), Section 100 (3) which prohibits the sale or offering for sale of unwholesome or unsuitable food for human or animal consumption adding that the distributor would face legal action as a deterrent to others in accordance with the law.
He noted that initial reports suggested that the salted fish found in the nine bags did not meet the required health and safety standards adding that experts from the Public Health Department established evidence of improper handling, unsanitary conditions, and potentially harmful bacteria in the seized products adding that the seized fish would be disposed of.
He said the odour that greeted the AMA team led by Florence Kuukyi when the goods were intercepted was indescribable.
“I could not bear the stench of the goods for a minute during the interception, ” he said.
“Maggots are fly larvae and their presence in food is a clear sign of spoilage and consuming this can lead to gastrointestinal distress, that may lead to dehydration… The presence of larvae according to our Public Health team often indicates an advanced stage of decomposition which can cause food poisoning… Maggots can carry parasites, and their consumption can lead to parasitic infections in the human body, ” he added.
He also expressed concerns over the unsanitary conditions under which some fish products were transported stressing that the incident serves as a “stark reminder of the importance of food safety and the need for individuals involved in food handling to adhere to stringent health and safety standards.”
He urged all individuals engaged in food-related businesses to undergo mandatory health screenings and to strictly follow hygiene guidelines to ensure the safety of the public.
He advised the public to be cautious when purchasing food products and report any suspicious activities related to food handling and distribution to city authorities.
“Together, we can ensure that our food supply remains safe and free from contaminants, preserving the well-being of our community, an Accra where we can all Live In and Love it, “he said.
He said that as much as salted fish was a delicacy, fish was extremely high in sodium, which could contribute to hypertension and other health issues when consumed in excess.