By Erica Apeatua Addo
Wassa Akropong (W/R), Sept 2, GNA – Mr Benjamin Appiasam-Dadson, the Principal Regulatory Officer at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Western Regional Office, has urged packaged water manufacturers to always keep their production floor and environment clean.
The FDA had observed that many water producers had failed in areas such as cleaning, pest control, record keeping and Standard Operating Procedures, he said.
“Constant cleaning promotes a good image, increases patronage, and profitability, reduces contamination risk of foreign bodies and ensures a pleasant and a safe working environment,” he said.
Mr Appiasam-Dadson gave the advice at Wassa Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality in the Western Region when the FDA organised a training workshop for packaged water manufacturers in Wassa Akropong, Asankragwa and its environs.
The programme was to sensitise the participants on good manufacturing and documentation practices on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and record-keeping formats on food safety activities carried out at production facilities.
The annual workshop was also meant to enhance the achievement of regulatory compliance as enshrined in the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851.
Mr Appiasam-Dadson said packaged water companies, that refused to go by the standards outlined by the FDA, could face administrative charges and fines.
He said non-compliance to the regulation could result in productivity loss, damaged reputation, disrupt their business, and cause sickness and even death.
He, therefore, appealed to packaged water manufacturers to strictly abide by the FDA standards to ensure they stayed in business, make more profit, and produce quality water for their customers.
Mr Benjamin Brew, the Regional Administrator for the National Association of Sachet, and Packaged Water Producers, for the Western and Western North regions, said: “Though officers of FDA spent time to organise the educative workshop, directors who owned such businesses did not show up.
“All directors having packaged water manufacturing companies should attend this all-important training because that can help you meet the regulatory requirements set by FDA, satisfy your consumer needs and sustain your business as well,” he added.
Some participants, who interacted with the Ghana News Agency pledged to ensure all their personnel on the production floor would be in appropriate clothing to avoid any contamination of their products.
The more than 80 participants were also taken through cleaning, personal hygiene, integrated pest management, waste management, equipment suitability and usage, storage facility, food hygiene and contamination.
GNA