The Head of Food Science and Technology Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Isaac Williams Ofosu has warned that Ghana’s meals system and provide chain is a recipe for poor well being outcomes.
He says a sustainable transformation of Ghana’s meals system is important for higher well being.
“The approach we construct meals techniques and the way we manage the availability chain can stop infectious and poisonous hazards together with microbial pathogens, chemical residues, biotoxins and different obnoxious or harmful substances from getting onto our plates.
“We want to rework meals techniques to ship higher well being and we want to take action in a sustainable method,” he stated.
According to the WHO, 1 in 10 fall sick from contaminated meals annually.
The magnitude of public well being burden resulting from meals–borne illness is akin to that of malaria or HIV AIDS.
Speaking as a part of actions to mark the World meals security day, Prof. Ofosu urged stakeholders within the meals business to vogue out methods to make sure sustainable secure meals manufacturing.
“Food techniques coverage makers, practitioners and traders ought to reorient their actions to extend the sustainable manufacturing and consumption of secure meals in an effort to enhance well being outcomes,” he stated.
Prof. Ofosu hinted the division has finalized the accreditations for the diploma and Bachelor’s diploma in meals manufacturing, which can be within the distance studying mode.
“Through these programmes, we intend to deal with the challenges related to the downstream meals dealing with processes,” he stated.
World Food Safety Day, which is marked on June 7, goals to encourage motion to assist stop, detect and handle foodborne dangers, contributing to meals safety, human well being, financial prosperity, agriculture, market entry, tourism and sustainable improvement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), collectively facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and different related organizations.
This yr, KNUST centered on plastics in meals.
The lead for the organizing group, Dr. Abena Boakye stated the day offers a chance to strengthen efforts to make sure that the meals we eat is free from, particularly plastics.
“The entire concept is to encourage and create consciousness for points relating to the security of our meals.
“So, how can we clear up this problem to make sure our meals is secure? If not from something, from the plastics that we now have,” she stated.
A senior lecturer on the Department, Dr. Herman Erick Lutterodt famous that correct plastic labelling is essential for a wholesome inhabitants.
“We have completely different plastics for various makes use of. We have plastics which can be for greater temperatures and there are plastics for microwaves.
“Our regulators ought to step up enforcement efforts to verify we now have designations on the plastics,” he’s hopeful.
The day noticed a panel dialogue with 4 chosen Senior High Schools within the Kumasi metropolis.
They embrace Kumasi Academy, Kumasi Anglican and KNUST SHS.
https://www.myjoyonline.com/we-need-to-transform-our-food-systems-for-better-health-knust-nutrition-expert/
