GHANA – Olam Agri’s Grain Business has recognised top Ghanaian bakeries for exemplary management of hygiene standards in their respective operations at the maiden edition of the Grains Hygiene Standards Management (GHSM) Awards.
The awards ceremony, held at Olam Agri’s Wheat Mill at Kpone, in the Greater Accra Region, is a scheme designed by the company to promote adherence to high hygiene standards in the bakery industry.
A total of 800 bakeries from Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, who engage mostly in the baking of bread for consumption by the general public, participated in the GHSM programme, out of which 171 bakeries were selected for honours.
The evaluation, monitoring and selection processes which spanned the period from June 2023 to March 2024, were conducted in close collaboration with Twentyth Consult, a food and beverages consultancy firm, with assistance from the Food and Drugs Board (FDA).
During the recognition, 35 bakeries that performed exceptionally well in their adherence to stipulated hygiene protocols were decorated as Four-Star Bakeries while 141 bakeries won recognition in the Three-Star Award Category.
The categories implied the delivery of satisfactory performance in hygiene standards management in their respective operations.
Commenting on the awards, Baibhav Biswas, Head of Olam Agri’s Grains Business said that bakeries are booming in Ghana following an increase in consumer demand for bread and wheat-based treats.
He added that Olam aims to ensure those bakeries are operating in the best hygienic standards.
Biswas highlighted that, in June 2023, with the assistance of the Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA), the company embarked on a program called, Grains Hygiene Standards Management (GHSM), designed to help bring bakeries in line with food safety standards.
He stressed that the FDA was very instrumental in helping to develop the appropriate hygiene monitoring protocols and training of field Hygiene Controllers.
“Our overall objective is to assure the bakers of our unyielding support and strengthen our relationship with the baking community nationwide,” said Biswas.
Celestine Fio, a bakery representative thanked Olam Agri for the underlying support to the sector, stating that the Award ceremony has not only raised the bar for food safety but also set a shining example for others to follow.
“By recognising your achievements today, we aim at fostering greater collaboration and enhancing trust between the company and the baking community,” Biswas concluded.
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