The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has closed two unlicensed sachet-water production sites and a cold store in the Greater Accra Region after inspectors discovered serious hygiene and food-safety breaches that posed significant public health hazards.

The closures followed an inspection on Wednesday conducted as part of the Authority’s nationwide enforcement campaign.

Over the past fortnight, the enforcement drive has led to the temporary shutdown of 59 food manufacturing and cold-storage facilities across the East and West municipalities, including 44 food processing establishments and more than 15 cold stores.

Inspectors found that the sachet-water operations were using untreated drinking water and water contaminated with algae during production. Food items intended for sale were also being kept in unsanitary conditions.

Investigations further revealed that most producers lacked ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation systems, resulting in untreated water being packaged for public consumption.

The Authority was unable to close another targeted premises because operators had vacated the site prior to the inspectors’ arrival, suggesting they may have been alerted in advance.

The inspection exercise covered Kwabenya, Ashongman Estate and Amansaman.

Addressing journalists after the inspections, the FDA’s Head of Communications, Mrs Rhoda Appiah, said the operation formed part of the authority’s routine inspection and enforcement activities aimed at protecting public health.

She explained that under Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), all food-production facilities must be registered or licensed before commencing operations.

Mrs Appiah warned that businesses operating without valid licences risk temporary closure, seizure of products, administrative fines of up to GH¢30,000 and possible prosecution.

She urged consumers to buy only FDA-approved products from licensed manufacturers and verify that packaged food products carry valid FDA registration numbers before purchase.

She stressed that affected facilities would resume operations only after implementing all corrective measures and fully complying with the Authority’s regulatory requirements.