Food safety in the horticultural sector in Ghana: challenges, risk factors and interventions

The fruit and vegetable industry remains one of Ghana’s most promising agricultural sectors mainly because heightened awareness the health benefits associated with their consumption. However, food safety is ultimate concern due to association foodborne hazards resulting in escalation illness. This report a review key horticultural value chain. study identified risk factors that contaminate fruits vegetables addition existing methods for mitigating risks reducing pathogen levels produce. revealed enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli Salmonella spp. produce through fresh manure contaminated irrigation water used during production vegetables. Chemical included pesticides (organochlorine pesticides) heavy metals cadmium, arsenic, chromium, lead. Physical twigs, roots, sand, stones. Washing thoroughly potable sanitizing vinegar Chlorine solutions were among common practices stakeholders adopted reduce microbial levels. Soil remediation was also reported approach chemical contaminants fields. study, therefore, recommends establishing traceability system well appropriate measures standards hygienic produced sold on local market Ghana. Value chain actors should be sensitized regularly interventions can employed significantly risks.