As part of its commitment to the well-being of bakers, leading agribusiness Olam Agri has conducted a health screening exercise under its My Healthy Baker initiative. The initiative aims to promote food safety within the communities bakers serve.
Through the Get Screened, Know Your Health Status campaign, held in Cape Coast, over a thousand bakers were screened for Hepatitis B, typhoid, and high blood pressure.
The Business Head of Olam Agri’s Grains Business, Mr. Soumya Saxena, noted that many bakers were not undergoing the mandatory annual health screenings required by law.
He highlighted that Olam Agri’s initiative has reached thousands of bakers nationwide, helping them maintain good health while enhancing food safety standards in the baking industry.
Mr. Saxena reaffirmed the company’s dedication to empowering food industry professionals with the necessary resources and knowledge to thrive. He added that Olam Agri would continue collaborating with bakers, health professionals, and industry stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of such impactful initiatives.
The My Healthy Baker initiative was organized in collaboration with the Central Regional Coordinating Council and Twentyth Consult to launch a nationwide health screening program for bakers.
In addition to the screenings, participants received education on good hygiene practices to uphold optimal food safety standards in their bakeries.
The Managing Consultant at Twentyth Consult, Mr. Richard Apaloo, emphasized that many bakers had little or no knowledge of proper health standards in their daily operations.
“In light of this, we have partnered with the FDA to establish standard protocols. Bakers must comply with these guidelines and work alongside environmental health officers to ensure food safety and maintain healthy bakeries,” he stated.
Mr. Apaloo stressed that all food vendors, whether street vendors or those in formal settings, must adhere to specific standards to safely serve the public.
The Central Regional Environmental Health Officer, Mr. William Goku, underscored the importance of regular health screenings, proper handwashing, and maintaining hygienic working environments in the bakery industry.
According to him, effective hygiene practices help prevent cholera and other foodborne diseases, ensuring that bread and pastries remain safe for consumption.
“It is imperative that we uphold the highest health and hygiene standards among those who prepare and handle our food,” he said.
He further noted that the My Healthy Baker initiative also served as an opportunity to raise awareness about cholera prevention, particularly in areas where food and water hygiene remain a major public health concern.
“Cholera spreads through contaminated food and water, leading to severe dehydration and, if untreated, even death,” he added.
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