Takoradi, Feb. 21, GNA - Mr. George E. Pentsil, Western and Central Regional zonal officer of the Food and Drugs Board, said the board would now focus on pre-preparation and production inspection of all herbal and food products in the region.

He said the shift from education to the production inspection was meant to ensure quality, standard and more hygienic food and drugs preparation to safeguard lives.

Mr. Pentsil said this at a day's training for herbal medicine manufacturers in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. He said the inspection and testing of final products by manufacturers would now change to make the FDB more active in the entire process of production.

He said the lack of record keeping coupled with unclear standard operating guidelines made operations of herbal medicine manufacturers and their clients more susceptible to danger, while many are unable to meet the safety standards required.

Mr. Pentsil said the FDB aims at assisting them to produce high quality drugs that are safe for human consumption and all efforts must be made to maintain a high production standard.

He said the continual use of public corn-mills for grinding their herbs could contaminate them.

Mr Pentsil suggested to the herbal manufacturers to jointly secure group-processing machines and if possible start the planting of herbs within their premises to safeguard them from contamination and fake herbs.