Accra, July 15, GNA - The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has trained 110 food manufacturers from 77 companies to build their capacity for the development of the industry.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Office of the Board said the training was under the theme Food Safety and Food Safety Management Systems.

It said the participants were manufacturers of food products, including water and the fishing industry. The statement said the training was in three parts. Thirty-six participants from 31 companies were taken through a two-day intensive course made up of lectures and practical case studies in for the first programme.

The second programme had 42 participants from 26 companies and the third group made up of 32 participants from 20 Fishing Vessel Operating Companies was also trained.

Mr. Clifford E. Frimpong Head of Inspectorate Department at Ghana Standards Board and the course facilitator, said food safety was assured through the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), which is a system that identifies, evaluates and controls hazards which are significant for food safety. "It is internationally recognized as the most effective means of controlling food borne diseases, stressing that by using HACCP based procedures, food and feed operators take responsibility for assuring food safety", the statement added.