World Food Day: Food vendors urged to prioritise proper food packaging, safety

Food vendors such as waakye, kenkey, spaghetti, drink sellers among others in Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have been urged to prioritise proper food safety and packaging. 

The call-to-action emphasis the importance of ensuring that food is handled, stored, and served in a safe and hygienic manner to prevent foodborne illnesses and sudden deaths. 

Mr. Daniel Asiedu Dartey, a resident of Keta, in commemorating this year’s World Food Day on Thursday, October 16, 2025, appealed to all food vendors to practice personal hygiene and package food properly before selling to maintain the quality and safety of food products. 

“For us food customers to be safe from any foodborne diseases, the packaging materials at food joints must be safe and neat for consumption and stored well to prevent contamination,” he said. 

He said that food safety was a critical issue, particularly in informal settings such as markets and street food stalls and called on the authorities to initiate efforts to guide and promote a culture of food safety among vendors and consumers alike. 

He appealed to the Environmental Protection Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority and other relevant entities to work together and ensure that food vendors comply with food safety regulations. 

Mr. Dartey said, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said: My brother, l can tell you that about half of Keta’s population buy food from the roadside, and if this food we buy are not prepare and keep under a hygienic condition, just imagine what will happen to us.” 

He advised that the authorities should provide training and education to vendors on proper food handling and preparation practices and do regular inspections to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement. 

Madam Cynthia Nyagorme, a nutritionist, also urged the public to always balance their daily food with nutrients such as protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, among others to help strengthen body particles. 

She said various foods should be cooked properly before eating; 

Madam Nyagorme urged vendors to always practice good personal hygiene to enable build trust with their customers and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable food system. 

She appealed to the FDA to educate and check sources of foods, drinks and drugs to promote food safety which was crucial in protecting public health and promoting economic development. 

She said that complying with food safety regulations would enable the FDA to control and prevent any foodborne illnesses and reduce the economic burden associated with foodborne diseases. 

World Food Day is an annual celebration on October 16, and this year’s event was held on the theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”. 

The theme emphasised on global solidarity and cooperation to achieve zero hunger and promote sustainable food systems. 

The theme has also highlighted the importance of working together across borders, sectors, and generations to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food for a more sustainable future. 

Source: GNA