The East Legon Branch of Marwako Fast Food is set to be re-opened to the public after months of shut down following allegations of food poisoning.
A statement issued by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on Friday, July 8, 2022 explained that the reopening of the Fast food eatery was as a result of the Authority’s satisfaction with the company’s implementation of corrective prevention actions (CAPA).
“The Food and Drugs Authority hereby lifts the suspension of catering services placed on your facility at East Legon”, the statement noted.
Even though the East Legon branch of Marwako is to be re-opened soon to customers, the Authority disclosed that it “will be conducting follow-up inspections in line with timelines specified in your CAPA to ensure full compliance to the code of hygiene practices”.
Two months after the closure, the FDA disclosed that “it is satisfied with the progress made in the implementation of the CAPA to forestall any future food poisoning incidence”.
In an earlier statement issued in June, the FDA indicated that its investigations into the incidence were hindered because of the destruction of some of the food items by the restaurant.
FDA shuts down East Legon Marwako over food poisoning allegation
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) closed down the East Legon branch of Marwako Fast Food restaurant in May this year, following allegations of suspected food poisoning.
The move, according to the FDA, is to help investigate complaints from customers. Some customers who patronized the place complained of getting food poisoning after eating food from the East Legon branch of the restaurant.
After the complaints, Marwako explained that it countered 53 affected customers and decided to absorb their medical bills while the restaurant cooperates with the FDA to investigate the issue.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Delese Mimi Darko, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, said “The FDA has taken notice of complaints from the public about the suspected food poisoning at the East Legon Branch of Marwarko Restaurant”.
“We have closed down the restaurant and together with other relevant agencies, started investigations, we wish to assure the public that the issue would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken”.
Delese Mimi Darko
The FDA assured the public that it will ensure strict implementation of its protocols to prevent any further harm to the public.
Following the incidence, Marwako Fast Food trended for three days on Twitter after several Twitter users complained of being served contaminated food, resulting in food poisoning. The complaints were triggered by a user, Edward Elohim, who posted about his illness after eating at the facility.
Subsequently, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) closed down the restaurant’s East Legon and Abelenkpe branches. Marwako Fast Food after investigations by the FDA was found guilty of food poisoning and was fined GHS750,000.
The Public Relations Officer of Marwako Fast Food, Mohamend Amin Lamptey, disclosed in an interview last month that the company paid the fine. He, however, noted that the company expects the FDA to apply the same rules to all the companies found guilty of such occurrences.
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