Analyses of samples of food, juice drinks and swabs taken from the environment at the East Legon branch of Marwako Fast Food Limited has revealed that there are microbial load(pathogens) which could be linked to food borne disease.
The levels of sanitation and hygiene in the food preparation areas in all the three facilities were poor.
This was revealed in a press release issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mrs Delese Mimi Darko and copied to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.
It stated that samples collected from the Abelenkpe and La branches were also found to be heavily contaminated.
“It was also established that there were poor storage practices, the temperature of deep freezers and refrigerators were far above the acceptable ranges. The handling practices of ingredients used in cooking, cooked and ready-to eat-food items were also very poor,”it added.
The statement explained that the process to establish the root cause of the contamination has been unfortunately hampered by unapproved and unilateral decision of the management of Marwako to destroy some of the food items whilst the investigations were in progress.
“The FDA has applied the appropriate regulatory sanctions and is also monitoring the implementation of the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) by management of Marwako Fast Foods to address all the non-conformances identified to prevent any reoccurrence” she added.
Mrs Darko assured the public of their continuous monitoring of all activities at Marwako Fast Food Limited to ensure their compliance to FDA directive and applicable regulatory requirement.
She stated that catering services at the facilities remained suspended.
It would be recalled that the Ghanaian Times in its May 13, 2022 issue reported the closure of East Legon branch of Marwako Restaurant in Accra over allegation of food poisoning by some patrons of the facility.
The Ghanaian Timessighted complaints on social media by some consumers on the alleged food poisoning after consuming meals at the Marwako Fast Food.
Some patrons who visited the fast food joint with their families were rushed to various health care facilities for treatment.
They were reported to have complained of dysentery and stomach aches.
In series of accounts shared on social media platforms, victims painted a gloomy picture of the incidence and the risk to their health.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
