Study reveals poor compliance with meat safety guidelines

A recent study has found widespread non-compliance with food safety regulations among butchers and fresh meat retailers in Northern Ghana, raising concerns about public health and the risk of meatborne diseases.

The research assessed adherence to meat safety guidelines established by Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) among actors in the meat value chain across three regions of Northern Ghana.

Using a cross-sectional survey involving 87 butchers and 299 fresh meat retailers, the researchers evaluated compliance through structured observations and interviews.

Findings of the study, published in the journal Food Ethics, showed that butchers recorded poor compliance levels, with an average compliance score of 37%, while fresh meat retailers achieved moderate compliance at 50%.

According to the researchers, retailers generally performed better than butchers across several food safety practices, suggesting significant gaps in hygiene and hazard-control measures at the primary stages of meat handling and processing.

Institutional factors, including risk perception, attitudes toward food safety, participation in training programmes, and business registration status, were identified as key determinants of compliance.

The researchers noted that the complete absence of full compliance among butchers points to deeper structural and institutional challenges within the meat processing sector, with implications for consumer health and food safety.

They further recommend targeted interventions tailored to the specific needs of butchers and retailers.

For butchers, the researchers advocated mandatory hygiene and hazard-control training programmes, while retailers require stronger regulatory oversight and improved access to sanitation facilities.

The research team included College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Prof. Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa and Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vitor.