GHANA – The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana, has closed down the East Legon branch of Marwako Restaurant in Accra over food poisoning claims by customers.

Marwako, a fast-food eatery in Accra has been trending on Twitter after several Twitter users complained of food poisoning after eating there.

In a tweet, the FDA stated that the move to close down the restaurant is to enable the Authority to conduct investigations into customers’ complaints.

“The FDA has taken notice of complaints from the public about the suspected food poisoning at the East Legon Branch of Marwarko Restaurant.

“We have closed down the restaurant and together with other relevant agencies, started investigations,” the tweet said.

The Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at the FDA, Mr. Joseph Yaw -Bernie Bennie, told the Ghanaian Times that a team from the Surveillance and Food Safety unit of the FDA had been sent to the scene to investigate the alleged poisoning.

FDA assured the public of a thorough investigation of the issue and take appropriate actions.

“Additionally, the FDA is ensuring the strict implementation of its protocols to prevent any further harm to the public,” it said.

Many consumers have since been hospitalized with many of the alleged victims referencing the eatery’s East Legon branch as the possible source of their discomfort.

The consumers were said to have reported to the health centres with complaints of dysentery and stomach aches.

Some victims who shared their experience on their twitter handles painted a gloomy picture of the incidence and the risk to individuals’ health.

“Yesterday dawn was a horror show for me. Vomiting, running and all that. I was then rushed to legon hospital where I was put on 2 bags of drip and some other medication. My friend also visited the hospital where he was put on 4 bags of drip,” one individual who goes by the name Omar revealed.

“Nyaho clinic apparently has over 70 patients who all got sick from Marwako,” another said.

Some affected customers have hinted at filing a class action suit against the fast-food service.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer for the Mawarko Restaurant, Amin Lamptey, informed that the restaurant has since apologized and is assisting with the medical bills of some of its customers affected by the incident.

“We visited some of our customers at the hospital and those who were discharged, we visited them at home. We assisted some of them with their hospital bills. The main thing started on Saturday and Sunday evening. We have accepted everything, and we have apologized to the victims,” he said.

Food poisoning, is the result of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food. The most common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), foodborne hazards are responsible for 137,000 deaths and 91 million acute illnesses in Africa every year, mostly affecting children under age 5.

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