By Lamin Njie
Food Safety and Quality Authority on Wednesday called on all dealers in food to observe proper personal hygiene in response to the deadly coronavirus.
It comes less than 24 hours after the country confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a deadly infection wreaking havoc on the world.
“The Food Safety and Quality Authority would in the wake of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, like to enjoin all Food Business Operators and/or food handlers to observe the following laid down recommended principles, in a bid to maintain the quality and safety of the food they sell to the public: Maintain proper personal hygiene, which includes regular and thorough hand washing with soap and running water; frequent disinfecting of hands using Alcohol-based sanitizers that have more than 60% of alcohol; promote and maintain good respiratory hygiene; endeavour to wear nose masks while serving food…,” Food Safety and Quality Authority said in a statement on Wednesday.
The authority is also calling on the food dealers to be sensitive of their immediate surrounding by keeping it clean and to advise sick personnel to stay at home.
The authority also asked food dealers to avoid talking while serving food; avoid, sneezing and coughing on the food that is ready to be served; frequently disinfect all food contact surfaces; and provide hand sanitizers to customers.
