Public Health Officers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) took action on Wednesday by seizing nine bags of maggot-infested salted fish intended for sale in Obuasi, Ashanti Region.
The consignments were impounded at the VIP lorry terminal at Kwame Nkrumah Circle following a tip-off, leading to the arrest of the owner, Esi Bawa, a local distributor.
Mr. Gilbert Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, explained that these operations are part of an ongoing effort to safeguard the safety of food products for the public.
He pointed out that the “offender violates the AMA's bylaws and the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), Section 100 (3), which prohibits the sale or offering for sale of unwholesome or unsuitable food for human or animal consumption.”
An assessment and subsequent report from the Public Health Department revealed evidence of improper handling, unsanitary conditions, and potentially harmful bacteria in the seized products.
Maggots, as fly larvae, are a clear sign of spoilage in food. Consuming such products can lead to gastrointestinal distress and dehydration.
Mr Ankrah stressed, “The presence of larvae often indicates an advanced stage of decomposition, which can cause food poisoning. Maggots can carry parasites, and their consumption can lead to parasitic infections in the human body.”
The unwholesome fish will be properly disposed of, and the distributor will face prosecution.
Mr Ankrah urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing food products and report any suspicious activities that could jeopardize the health and lives of consumers.
