Bolt Food and Food and Drugs Authority collaborate to enhance food safety in Ghana

Bolt Food, the leading platform delivery company and a thought leader in Ghana, partnered with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to organise a pioneering one-day hygiene workshop. This inaugural event aims to enhance food safety standards among Food Service Establishments (FSEs) across Ghana, reflecting Bolt Food's strong commitment to promoting health and safety within the food service industry.

The workshop brought together fifty FSEs using the Bolt Food platform to educate them on the FDA’s stringent food safety regulations. This event also provided a valuable opportunity for vendors to voice their challenges and seek support in overcoming them, fostering a collaborative effort towards improving food safety practices.

In a significant step towards supporting these FSEs, Bolt Food announced that it will sponsor the FDA Food Hygiene Permit licence acquisition for 20 establishments. Additionally, Bolt Food will offer the necessary technical support to ensure these businesses meet all regulatory standards, reinforcing its dedication to maintaining high-quality service and safety.

This initiative marks a milestone in Bolt Food and FDA’s efforts to uphold and elevate food safety standards, ensuring that customers receive safe and hygienic food from their favourite establishments. It was inspiring to witness the FSEs united with a shared commitment to uphold and elevate food safety standards across Ghana. Each establishment made a pledge to maintain these high standards, reflecting a collective dedication to public health and safety.

The Regulatory and Policy Head for Africa at Bolt, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said: “Our mission is to continually enhance food safety for everyone. This collaboration with the FDA is a key part of Bolt Food’s commitment to promoting health and safety in Ghana's food service industry.”

“We aim to cultivate a strong partnership with the FDA and our FSEs. Our objective is to create an ecosystem where customers can trust that every order from Bolt Food comes from establishments that uphold FDA’s rigorous food safety and hygiene standards.” She added.

Mr. Roderick Daddey-Adjei, Deputy Chief Executive, Food Division, at the FDA emphasised that, “as the Guardians of food safety in Ghana, it is the responsibility of the FDA to ensure that every meal served, whether in a restaurant, by the streets or delivered to our homes and offices, meets the highest standards of hygiene and safety in alignment with the Public Health Act 2012. The issuance of hygiene permits is not just a formality; it brings a sense of assurance that food service establishments are adhering to Good Hygienic Practices (GHPs) upholding the principles of food safety.

Chief Regulatory Officer at the FDA, Dr. Edward Archer, addressed the importance of regulatory compliance within the food industry. He urged all food establishments across Ghana to regularise their operations with the FDA, stressing that securing a Food Hygiene Permit is crucial for industry compliance and consumer safety.

“Operating a food business without a Food Hygiene Permit is unlawful. The FDA is ready to collaborate and ensure the safety of FSEs nationwide,” Dr. Archer stated.

The Country Manager for Bolt Food said: “this collaboration between Bolt Food and the FDA signifies a step towards ensuring the highest quality of food safety and hygiene for our customers. Together with the FDA, we look forward to bringing positive changes to the Food Delivery industry in Ghana.