The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has advised the public who patronize food from local vendors within the metropolis to always demand from food vendors, a health certificate before buying from them.

The Metro Public Health Director of AMA, Victor Acquaye, said inasmuch as there is “free entry” in the food vending system, one ought to have a health certificate confirming he or she is free from diseases.

Every food vendor in the country is required by law to be screened and issued a health certificate before operating. The move is part of measures aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

However, most food vendors are flouting the law with impunity, mostly due to lack of enforcement by the various local assemblies.

Speaking on the matter on 3FM’s Community Connect on Friday, Mr, Acquaye said food vendors are supposed to display their health certificate for customers to know.

However, “Consumers can demand health certificates from food vendors to know they are certified” and that it “is part of their right”.

Mr. Acquaye noted that though some of the vendors have the certificate, a lot of them have expired and such persons are yet to renew.