Takoradi, June 23, GNA- Dr Mohammed Alfa, Head of Veterinary and Food Inspection Units of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), on Thursday expressed worry at the conditions under which livestock was being slaughtered and packaged for consumption. He was speaking at a day's workshop organised for Environment Health Officers by the FDB as part of the third Food and Drugs Week in Takoradi.

Dr Alfa noted that in many parts of the country, livestock are slaughtered for sale without inspection and certification by Veterinary Officers. Dr Alfa asked District Assemblies to ensure that slaughtering houses are provided with vans with refrigeration facilities to transport meat to the markets.

He urged Environmental Health Officers, Veterinary Officers and other stakeholders to collaborate with the Board to ensure that meat sold to the public is wholesome.

Dr Alfa said the Board would introduce programmes to educate butchers on the processing of meat for sale. Speaking on Food Safety Management, Mr Kofi Essel, Head of Food Safety Unit of the FDB, asked environmental health officers to ensure that chop bar keepers are trained and medically examined before granting them licence to operate.

He also asked the health officers to ensure that all public eating-places are sited at hygienic places.