The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Ghana National Eggs Campaign Secretariat have raised a public health alert regarding the substandard handling of eggs in local markets, particularly the hazardous practice of selling broken eggs for human consumption.
During a high-level workshop in Kumasi attended by over 150 poultry farmers and vendors, experts warned that the current methods of transporting and displaying eggs fall significantly below international safety benchmarks, posing a risk of microbial contamination.
To address these concerns, officials have introduced stricter guidelines for both vendors and consumers. Samuel Kwatia of the GSA emphasized that buyers should meticulously inspect eggs for neatness, color consistency, and structural integrity, while strongly advising against the reuse of crates to prevent the circulation of harmful bacteria.
Furthermore, the Ghana Health Service highlighted that while eggs are “superfoods” containing over 40 essential nutrients and antioxidants, their health benefits can only be fully realized if they are handled in a sanitary manner that prevents spoilage and infection.