Food poisoning: Marwako seeks independent investigation on FDA’s verdict

The management of Marwako Fast Food has stated it will engage independent investigators in claims brought against its East Legon branch on food poisoning.

While appreciating the findings of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Marwako insists it will conduct further investigations.

The Public Relations Officer of Marwako, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, noted that the company would engage the services of independent investigators.

“We can even say we would disagree with FDA to all intents and purposes. We may need an independent investigation on what they have also done, and as I have said earlier when it comes to the restaurant business, anybody that understands that business knows that there are certain items or ingredients that when you use them in a day, you cannot use them the next day,” he told Joy FM.

This comes on the back of preliminary investigations by the Food and Drugs Authority showing that samples of food and juice drinks from various branches of the eatery were contaminated.

“There were poor storage practices. The temperatures of deep freezers and refrigerators were far above the acceptable ranges. The handling practices of ingredients used in cooking, cooked and ready-to-eat food items were also very poor” parts of a statement from the Authority read.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) further imposed a fine of GHS750,000 on Marwako for the incident.

On 12 May 2022, the FDA closed down the East Legon branch following widespread reports of food poisoning on social media.

In a tweet, the FDA stated that the move to close down the restaurant is to enable the Authority to conduct investigations into customers’ complaints.

The Authority proceeded with the investigations and issued a statement on 13 June.

It revealed that the eatery failed to observe the appropriate sanitary practices, leading to widespread food poisoning, which was reported by affected customers.

“Analyses of samples of food, some juice drinks, and swaps taken from the environment at the East Legon branch of Mawarko Fast Food Limited indicate that there was heavy microbial load (pathogens) which may be linked to the food bore disease reported. Samples collected from the Abelenkpe and La branches were also found to be contaminated. The levels of sanitation and hygiene in the food preparation areas in all three facilities were poor”.

The Authority further alleged an “unapproved and unilateral decision of Marwako Fast Food Limited to destroy some food items” in the course of the investigation.

But the eatery said the claims that it tampered with an ongoing investigation are baseless.