Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Wednesday directed food vendors to present themselves for thorough medical examination and certification with effect from Monday February 19 to ensure maximum food hygiene for the consuming public. "AMA, therefore, requests all food handlers, especially, chop bar and restaurant operators; hotels; fast food joints; wayside food sellers and those who carry food about for sale to make themselves available at public health centres for examination," it said in a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of AMA.

They have until February 28 to go through the process. The statement said the affected people should report at Adabraka Polyclinic; La General Hospital; Mamprobi Polyclinic; Maamobi Polyclinic; Usher Polyclinic; Kaneshie Polyclinic and Achimota Hospital. Meanwhile, food vendors should contact the Environmental Health Officers in any of the AMA Sub-Metropolitan Offices, or the Metropolitan Public Health Department at Adjabeng, between Old Kingsway and Cocoa House for the necessary forms to attend hospital. It said the forms cost 35,000 cedis.

AMA said a special taskforce would visit catering places and food selling points to inspect their certificates after February, 28 2007.