Takoradi, April 22, GNA- Mr George Pentsil, Zonal Officer of the Food and Drug Board (FDB) in-charge of the Western and Central Regions, on Thursday said a post market surveillance and inspection conducted by the Board showed that a large number of sachet water producers in Sekondi-Takoradi are operating illegally.

Speaking at a meeting with sachet water producers in Takoradi, he said the producers concerned have been urged by radio announcements and letters to regularise their operations with the Board and apply good manufacturing practices but this had fallen on deaf ears. Mr Pentsil told the meeting that the regulation of the operation of sachet water producers is now the responsibility of the FDB and not the Ghana Standards Board as the case in the past. He said registration with the Board is mandatory and it was, therefore, an offence to sell sachet water when the producer has not registered his business.

Mr Pentsil said producers should indicate their registration number on the sachet water and any product without FDB registration number would be deemed to be unwholesome and put out of market.

He said it is no defence for the producer to claim that the water used has been tested and declared wholesome by laboratory test as the only recognised and mandated set of standards is that of FDB. Mr Pentsil warned that the FDB would put out any disclaimer on products of producers who fail to heed advice to ensure environmental cleanliness at their premises and ensure that their workers observed good personal hygiene.

He said the Board could also fine offending producers or close down their premises and prosecute them. 22 April 04