The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against purchasing foods sold near open gutters and drains, warning that such practices pose serious health risks.
According to the Authority, foods displayed or prepared close to open gutters are highly exposed to contamination from waste, bacteria, insects, and harmful microorganisms, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.
The FDA noted that poor sanitation around food vending areas increases the risk of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea.
Tthe Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the FDA in charge of the Food Division, Roderick Daddey-Adjei, the common habit of preparing and selling food in unhygienic surroundings continues to undermine efforts to improve food safety across the country.
In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, he said Food should not be sold by a gutter, and we will not defend that.”
He described the situation as a long-standing cultural issue that calls for stricter enforcement alongside a shift in consumer behaviour.
He stated that ”
We have developed a bad culture over time. Sanitation and education must be taken seriously. If you care about food safety, a food seller, whether a waakye seller, kebab seller or kenkey seller, should not be operating next to an open gutter,” he said.
Daddey-Adjei said consumers have a role to play in protecting their own health by refusing to buy food from vendors who work in unsafe conditions.
“You need to educate the consumer so they can make informed choices. Without them, this will not work. The numbers are worrying, and enforcement on its own will not solve the problem,” he explained.
He said the Authority is running public education campaigns in markets and communities to help people identify unhygienic practices and choose safer food options.
Daddey-Adjei said enforcement remains difficult, especially given the high number of informal food vendors across the country.
“The task is huge. Staffing is a challenge. Local assemblies are expected to monitor basic sanitation and hygiene, but our checks show that sometimes it is done and sometimes it is not,” he noted.
He urged consumers to be mindful of where their food is prepared and sold, stressing the importance of proper hygiene and clean environments in safeguarding public health.
“If people stop buying food sold next to gutters and other unsafe places, vendors will be forced to change how they operate. That is one of the strongest tools available to us,” Daddey-Adjei added.
He further reminded food sellers of their responsibility to obtain the necessary permits and ensure their products are protected from environmental contamination. Vendors who flout food safety regulations, the Authority warned, could face sanctions including closure of their businesses.
