The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revealed that attempts to establish the root cause of the food poisoning at the East Legon branch of Marwako Fast Food were interrupted by management of the eatery.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 13, the FDA lamented the lack of cooperation on the part of the Management of the restaurant.

In this regard, the FDA explained that: "The process to establish the root cause of the contamination has been unfortunately hampered by the unapproved and unilateral decision of the Management of Marwako to destroy some of the food items whilst the investigation was in progress".

It however added that, it has "applied the appropriate regulatory sanctions and is also monitoring the implementation of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) by the Management of Marwako Fast Foods to address all the non-conformances identified to prevent any reoccurrence".

Despite the difficulty it faced with management of the restaurant, the regulatory body disclosed that poor sanitation, poor storage and microbial infestation were the causes of the incident.

According to the FDA, the eatery failed to observe the appropriate sanitary practices, leading to widespread food poisoning, which was reported by affected customers.

"Analyses of samples of food, some juice drinks, and swaps taken from the environment at the East Legon branch of Mawarko Fast Food Limited indicate that there was heavy microbial load (pathogens) which may be linked to the food borne disease reported.

Samples collected from the Abelenkpe and La branches were also found to be contaminated. The levels of sanitation and hygiene in the food preparation areas in all three facilities were poor", portions of the statement read.

The FDA's release continued: "It was also established that there were poor storage practices. The temperatures of deep freezers and refrigerators were far above the acceptable ranges. The handling practices of ingredients used in cooking, cooked and ready-to-eat food items were also very poor".

In conclusion, the FDA said: "We wish to assure the public that we will continue to closely monitor all activities at Marwako Fast Foods Limited to ensure compliance to the FDA's directives and applicable regulatory requirements. Catering services at the facilities remain suspended. The public would be updated on any subsequent developments".

Background

On May 12, 2022, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) closed down the East Legon branch of Marwako restaurant, following widespread reports of food poisoning on social media.

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 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.

— FDAGhana (@fdaghana) May 12, 2022

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

The Twitter tirade started after a user, Edward Elohim, shared that the fast-food service had served him and several others with food that is contaminated.

Several other users rehashed his statement, accusing the fast joint of putting them in a similar situation since the weekend.

Many were subsequently hospitalised with many of the alleged victims referencing the eatery’s East Legon branch as the possible source of their discomfort.

Marwako @Marwakofastfood gave me and many others in this hospital the worst food poisoning ever.

— Edward Elohim (@deezydothis) May 11, 2022

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. 4

— Omar Gyabo Abdullah (@omargyabo1) May 12, 2022

This is crazy because I’ve at least 5 children turn up at the ER since Sunday who went out to eat at Marwako over the weekend and they’re all on admission https://t.co/aHmOK9kUsE

— Afua (@Afua_Bour) May 11, 2022

Some users, therefore, urged the Food and Drugs Authority to take action against the company.

Amidst the complaints, some affected customers hinted at filing a class action suit against the fast-food service.

How Marwako is still in business after how that Lebanese supervisor physically assaulted a Ghanaian female employee is what baffles me.

— piè.siè (@kwabena_piesie) May 11, 2022

If you ate at Marwako this weekend look sharp cos there’s money to be made ei. Too many people

— alleunammE💊🎤🎶 (@Dr_nuellie_) May 11, 2022

But what is wrong with Marwako ? They poisoned all their customers this weekend and they saying nothing about it whiles people suffer in hospitals?? Wtf

— TWO TERTY 🇳🇬🇬🇭 (@Aboa_Banku1) May 11, 2022

Avoid Marwako & save your life. I had food poisoning & it has maltreated me since Sunday morning. It was the coleslaw that did me in. I didn't buy anything else from there. @fdaghana please act quickly.

— joe▪︎ (@jjooeegg) May 11, 2022

I never understood the love for Marwako food anyway. I hope all those poisoned come together and sue them.
They have some serious management issues, from the staff abuse sometime back & now this.

— Yeshuwa (@bybentil) May 11, 2022

The whole Accra is reeling from food poisoning or something from Marwako and you people are literally quiet about it.
It’s a lot of people now in hospital

— aku.eth (@AkuFromSakumono) May 11, 2022

East Legon branch yeah? I just admitted a man and his son. https://t.co/HjSXKIAbwY

— lys (@Fab_Lys) May 11, 2022