The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has issued a warning to food vendors operating without valid health certificates.

According to the authority, individuals who fall within the said category will be apprehended and prosecuted.

The Metro Environmental Health Officer, Wisdom Aditse, stated that this measure aims to reduce the occurrence of contaminated food being sold to residents in the Metropolis and the nation as a whole.

Obtaining a health certificate, which is granted after undergoing a screening process, is crucial to ensure the prevention of communicable diseases being transmitted to buyers and to ensure that sellers maintain hygienic conditions for the safety of the public.

Mr. Aditse further explained that the screening exercise also provides an opportunity to educate vendors on the importance of maintaining cleanliness in their facilities and selling areas to prevent the transmission of diseases to customers.

He emphasized the necessity of annually renewing the health certificate to verify the seller's health status.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in legal action being taken against them.

“When we screen you now, at the end of the year it expires, so you have to be screened the following year.”

The Environmental Health Officer advises consumers to exercise caution in their food choices, be observant of unhygienic food establishments, and promptly report any concerns to the Assembly.