Professor Isaac Williams Ofosu of the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has called for closer collaboration between academic researchers and food regulatory bodies to address persistent challenges in Ghana’s food sector.

Prof. Ofosu emphasized the importance of forming joint research teams to tackle issues identified by regulators on the ground, with the aim of informing stronger national policies.

“I think we can form a team, researchers and regulators, so that some of the issues they observe on the ground can be researched thoroughly. We can then provide them with accurate information that informs policy,” he said.

He further noted that such initiatives would not only improve food safety standards but also create employment opportunities for postgraduate students involved in the research.

Prof. Ofosu also cautioned against the growing trend of overprocessed and adulterated foods, which contribute to the increasing burden of diet-related diseases.

Additionally, he called for government intervention to regulate plastic packaging, describing it as a critical but often overlooked contributor to food safety risks.

“We’ll help any minister that comes for our support,” he added, signalling the academic community’s readiness to actively contribute to national food policy development.

World Food Safety Day, commemorated annually on June 7, raises global awareness about the importance of safe food practices in protecting health and promoting sustainable development.