Summary
The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) is a cornerstone of Ghana’s efforts to safeguard the health of its population through the regulation of food safety, nutrition, and consumer protection. It aims to ensure that food available in Ghana is safe, nutritious, and adequately labeled, while also promoting practices that improve public health outcomes.
This Act serves to update and consolidate the legal framework governing public health in Ghana, with the aim of preventing diseases, promoting and safeguarding human and animal health, and ensuring overall health protection. It outlines measures for maintaining public health, including specific regulations on environmental sanitation (Part 5). Key provisions address the control of communicable diseases, including the destruction of infected animals and reporting of such diseases. The Act also sets standards for food vending and food-borne illness prevention, and prohibits harmful or hazardous practices that can harm land, crops, livestock, or cause water pollution. In the section on environmental sanitation, it restricts the sale of unfit or unsanitary food and addresses the prevention of public nuisances and environmental degradation.
Details
The Act establishes the Food and Drugs Authority and provides for registration of food intended to be manufactured, placed on the market, imported or exported and of exporters or importers of food. Other provisions concern slaughterhouses, meat and observance of food standards.
The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) is a comprehensive piece of legislation in Ghana designed to protect public health and regulate activities that can affect the well-being of citizens. The Act covers various aspects of public health, including food safety, nutrition, and standards related to food handling and distribution.
Key provisions relevant to food and nutrition
- Food Safety and Quality Control
Under Act 851, food safety and quality are paramount to protecting public health. The Act mandates the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to oversee and regulate the production, processing, and distribution of food in Ghana. Key elements include:
- Ensuring that food sold is safe for consumption and free from contaminants.
- Prohibiting the sale of adulterated, unwholesome, or falsely labeled food.
- Establishing standards for the hygiene and sanitation of food premises.
- Food Labelling and Advertisement
The Act contains provisions on proper food labeling to ensure that consumers are informed about the nutritional content and safety of food products. Key points include:
- All food products must be labeled accurately, providing information on ingredients, expiration dates, and potential allergens.
- Misleading or deceptive advertising of food products is prohibited.
- Nutritional claims must be backed by scientific evidence to protect consumers from false claims.
- Regulation of Food Vendors
The Public Health Act regulates street food vendors and restaurants to ensure that they follow hygienic practices. The law empowers local authorities to:
- License food vendors and enforce hygiene standards.
- Conduct regular inspections of food establishments.
- Penalize vendors who do not comply with food safety regulations.
- Fortification of Foods
Act 851 encourages the fortification of staple foods, such as flour and salt, with essential nutrients like iodine, vitamin A, and iron to address malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in the population. The Act promotes:
- Mandatory fortification of certain foods to improve public health outcomes.
- Monitoring and enforcement of fortification standards by regulatory bodies like the FDA.
- Prevention of Foodborne Diseases
To prevent outbreaks of foodborne diseases, the Act includes provisions for:
- The control of the importation, exportation, and sale of food to ensure that all products meet international health standards.
- Immediate response and investigation of reported cases of foodborne illness.
- Nutrition Education and Promotion
The Act emphasizes the importance of nutrition education as part of the government’s public health strategy. It mandates government agencies and health institutions to:
- Promote public awareness on healthy eating habits and the role of nutrition in disease prevention.
- Encourage programs aimed at reducing malnutrition, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
- Role of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)
The Act grants the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) the authority to regulate, monitor, and enforce compliance in the food and nutrition sector. The FDA is responsible for:
- Issuing licenses for food production and distribution.
- Conducting inspections and ensuring that food manufacturers comply with hygiene and safety regulations.
- Implementing measures to prevent the circulation of substandard or harmful food products.
