Mrs. Gladys Asamoah, a Public Health Nurse at the Kumasi Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), has urged food sellers to ensure that they sold neat and hygienic foods to the public.
She noted that most of the food sold were contaminated and could affect the health of consumers.
Mrs. Asamoah was addressing about 120 women from various women organizations, at a lecture on food safety in our homes and market places, organised by the Department of Women in Kumasi on Monday.
The lecture was aimed at educating the participants on the problems associated with unwholesome food consumption and the need to ensure that they consumed hygienic food at all times.
Mrs. Asamoah who was speaking on the topic: "Health Hazards Associated with Unwholesome Food Consumption", said food become contaminated when bacteria infects with toxins.
She said the diseases associated with eating unwholesome food included typhoid fever, dysentery, Cholera and others and described the symptoms also as vomiting, headaches, diarrhoea and abdominal pains.
The Public Health Nurse advised the public to always eat balanced diets and nutritious foods, as well as make the daily intake of fruits like oranges, banana, pawpaw and others a practice.
Mrs. Asamoah stressed the need for people to undertake regular exercises and avoid smoking and drinking of alcohol.
Mrs. Augustina Gyamfi, Regional Director, Department of Women, said unsafe food consumption could result in deaths and other health problems, and advised farmers and food sellers to ensure that they produce food in hygienic and safe environmental conditions.
She called on foodstuff sellers not to display their products on the bare floor exposing them to germs, a practice which could be hazardous.
Mr. Joseph Yaw-Bernie Bennie, Ashanti Regional Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board, urged consumers to ensure that the foods they bought had labels, manufacturing and expiry dates.
He stated that it was the responsibility of the Food and Drugs Board to ensure that products were certified before they were sold at the markets.