ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SANITATION UNIT-NEW JUABEN NORTH MUNICIPAL FOOD HYGIENE SEMINAR FOOD AND DRINK HANDLERS

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SANITATION UNIT-NEW JUABEN NORTH MUNICIPAL FOOD HYGIENE SEMINAR FOOD AND DRINK HANDLERS

Prior to the medical exercise in the Municipality  the Environmental Health Unit organized a sensitization seminar on the 14th September, 2022 for some selected food and drink vendors, Honorable Assembly members, school matrons, Hoteliers etc were all present for the occasion. The attendance was sixty eight (68), 12 were males and 56 were females. Certificate of participation was awarded to attendees.

ISSUES DISCUSSED

The municipal environmental health officer communicated to the food vendors about the importance of handwashing, adequate cooking to kill pathogens, avoiding cross contamination during handling and cooking of food. There was demonstration of handwashing with soap under running water using ‘veronica bucket’.

Mrs. Joyce Appiah reiterated the importance the importance of food hygiene and safety by explaining 5 key concepts namely:

  1. Keep surroundings and utensils clean
  2. Separate raw food from cooked food
  3. Cook food thoroughly
  4. Keep food at safe temperature
  5. Use clean and safe water for cooking.

She further reiterated the importance of food and nutrition to the well-being of people in the Municipality, by adding that we get energy and fuel from food we eat and as such the nutrition cannot be taken for granted. She also admonished food vendors to include vegetables in their food preparation because it contains vitamins that promote healthy growth.

RECOMMENDATION

There should be more health education and sensitization of food and drink handlers in the municipality.

CONCLUSION

The food and drink handlers showed their appreciation to management for organizing such program to educate them. The Municipal Environmental Health Officer assured the food vendors that environmental health officers will continue to intensify hygiene education throughout the municipality to ensure food hygiene and safety. The seminar was a success.

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