Accra, Ghana – The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has temporarily closed the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet located on Oxford Street in Osu, Accra, as part of an ongoing nationwide enforcement exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. The closure forms part of a broader inspection that targeted food service establishments operating without valid Food Hygiene Permits.
According to the FDA, the KFC branch was found to be operating without the mandatory Food Hygiene Permit required under Ghana’s food safety regulations. The enforcement exercise, conducted on Oxford Street and surrounding parts of Osu, also led to the temporary closure of several other food businesses that failed to meet the same regulatory requirement.
FDA Intensifies Food Safety Enforcement
The Food and Drugs Authority explained that the inspections are part of a nationwide campaign to ensure that all food service establishments comply with the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which mandates that businesses handling or serving food obtain the appropriate hygiene certification before commencing operations.
Officials stressed that the Food Hygiene Permit is not merely an administrative requirement but an essential certification confirming that an establishment has met minimum standards for food preparation, sanitation, storage, and public health protection.
Businesses operating without the permit risk immediate closure and may also face financial penalties until they regularize their operations.
KFC Branch to Remain Closed Until Compliance
The FDA indicated that the Osu KFC outlet will remain closed until management secures a valid Food Hygiene Permit and satisfies all regulatory requirements. The closure does not necessarily imply that unsafe food was being served; rather, it reflects the business’s failure to possess the legally required certification at the time of inspection.
The Authority emphasized that its objective is to safeguard public health by ensuring that all food businesses operate within Ghana’s established food safety framework.
Warning to Other Food Businesses
Following the inspections, the FDA urged restaurants, hotels, cafés, fast-food outlets, bakeries, event caterers, online food vendors, and other food service providers to regularize their operations immediately.
The Authority warned that additional inspections will continue across the country and that businesses operating without valid permits should expect similar enforcement actions.
Public Health Remains the Priority
Food safety experts have welcomed the FDA’s enforcement campaign, noting that regular inspections and strict compliance with hygiene regulations are critical to preventing foodborne illnesses and protecting consumers.
Oxford Street in Osu is one of Accra’s busiest commercial and entertainment districts, attracting thousands of residents and visitors daily. Ensuring that food establishments in such high-traffic areas comply with health regulations is considered essential to maintaining public confidence in Ghana’s food service industry.
Looking Ahead
The FDA has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing food safety standards nationwide and encouraged all food business operators to obtain the required Food Hygiene Permit before offering services to the public.
The Authority also advised consumers to patronize licensed food establishments that comply with health and safety regulations, emphasizing that public cooperation is vital in maintaining high standards within Ghana’s hospitality and food service sectors.
