Bolgatanga, June 19, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah the Minister of Health, on Monday urged consumers to take bold initiatives by drawing the attention of the manufacturer or the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) to any bad experience they encounter with a particular food product. Dr (Mrs.) Gladys Ashitey, Deputy Health Minister, said this on his behalf at the launch of the Fourth National Food Safety Campaign at Bolgatanga under the theme, "Your Food - Buy Right, Eat Right, Live Right"

He called on consumers to exercise a high sense of responsibility in terms of food safety and said consumers must learn to restrain their craving for food prepared or manufactured under unhygienic conditions or prepared by people who do not observe personal hygiene.

The Minister mentioned improper application of agro-chemicals, poor hygienic practices, inadequate preventive controls in food processing and preparation, improper storage, use of contaminated raw materials and ingredients and the lack of portable water as some major factors responsible for potential hazards in the food supply chain.

Safety of food, he said, could only be achieved if only all the actors in the food chain operated in an integral manner and food control systems were put in place to address all stages of food processing.

Major Quashigah said the inappropriate use of drugs to cure animals as practiced by some veterinary officers could have serious health implications for consumers.

He said a project had already been proposed to determine the extent of the veterinary drug residue problem, especially in imported meat products, the ill effects posed and the possible ways of managing the situation through the appropriate application of veterinary drugs. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FDB, Mr. Emmanuel Kyeremanteng, called on district assemblies, religious leaders and traditional authorities to complement the FDB's efforts in its food safety campaign by educating and sensitising people about how to ensure food safety.

Mr Boniface Gambila, the Upper East Regional Minister, said the introduction of the free school feeding system, the Capitation Grant, and the Metro-Mass Transport system were part of Government's efforts at ensuring food safety.