The Department of Food Science and Technology at the College of Science has hosted a food safety forum dubbed "What's on Your Plate?", bringing together regulators, students, and key stakeholders to address growing concerns about food contamination in Ghana.
The forum focused on the theme of ensuring safe agricultural produce from farm to fork, highlighting risks associated with food production, processing, and distribution.
Speaking at the opening, the Head of Department, Professor Jacob Agbenorhevi, stressed the department's commitment to promoting food safety through education and research.
"Food safety is our priority as a department. It is not the responsibility of regulators alone, but a collective effort involving all stakeholders," he said.
Project lead Dr. Eric Owusu Mensah noted that while there is increasing advocacy for the consumption of fresh and nutritious foods, concerns remain about the safety and integrity of food systems.
He cited evidence of chemical contamination, including heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in vegetables, cereals, and processed foods, often linked to environmental pollution and unsafe agricultural practices.
He added that pesticide residues and unsafe food handling practices, particularly within informal food systems, continue to expose consumers to health risks.
Final-year students of the department presented findings from field studies and market surveys, highlighting issues such as food adulteration, unsafe ripening methods, and the use of inappropriate packaging materials in food processing.
Discussions also examined how poor education and weak enforcement contribute to declining public trust in food safety institutions.
One student described the situation as a shared responsibility, saying, "If man is the problem, then man can also be the solution."
Stakeholders at the forum called for stronger collaboration and enforcement of existing regulations.
Dr. Samuel K. Frimpong, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Standards Authority, emphasized the need for joint education efforts between academia, regulators, and the public, noting that while laws exist, enforcement must be strengthened.
"We have the laws, but how well do we enforce them? We need to do more. It is a collective effort of academia, regulators, consumers, and distributors," he said
Mrs. Mabel Adwoa Nyarko of the Food and Drugs Authority encouraged the public to adopt a "see something, say something" approach to report unsafe food practices and unapproved products on the market.
Other regulators at the forum also highlighted the environmental dimensions of food safety, including the overuse of plastics and improper waste management, urging responsible practices across the value chain.
The forum concluded with a call for coordinated action, increased public education, and practical solutions to ensure that food consumed is not only nutritious but safe.
