The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has assured the public of its readiness to ensure public health and safety in view of the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country.

The FDA as part of its mandate has reiterated the need for food vendors and consumers in general to observe food and personal hygiene rules to avoid contracting and spreading the disease.

In a statement issued in Accra on Thursday and signed by Mr John Odame-Darkwah, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Food Safety Division and copied to Ghana News Agency, advised food vendors to ensure clean environment, cover their foods to avoid contamination by houseflies and dirt and keep food at the appropriate temperatures during sales.

It also advised sachet water sellers to desist from holding the water from the corners when selling and should always keep their hands clean or wear protective cover on their hands.

“Sachet water should be purchased from clean vending facilities and sellers who observe personal hygiene and a person must not be involved in the transportation and sale of ready-to-eat foods if he/she experiences abdominal pains, diarrhoea and/or vomiting.”

The FDA cautioned consumers to ensure that foods such as waakye, kenkey, koko should always be eaten hot. When cold, they should be properly reheated before eating and advised that anyone who experiences abdominal pains, diarrhoea and/or vomiting, should report to the nearest health facility for treatment.