Mr. David Asah-Kissiedu, Deputy Chief Dietician, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), expressed deep worry about the situation where many tended to overlook proper hygiene at the various stages of food preparation.

That, he warned, was dangerous and could result in food poisoning.

The dietician gave the advice when he spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi.

Mr. Asah-Kissiedu asked that nobody should discount the assertion by Pastor Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), that “fufu” was killing Africans and said that could be true, when it was not prepared under hygienic conditions.

The pestle and mortar which are used for pounding of the ‘fufu’ are often not kept well, leaving insects to sit on them. He made reference to instances where people used mortars that had developed cracks, with rotten food stuck in them, rendering the fresh ‘fufu’ unwholesome.

Mr. Asah- Kissiedu highlighted the need to thoroughly wash the pestle and mortar with warm water, before and after their use.  These should also be covered with clean cloth or polythene bags to keep away flies and other insects.

Cracked pestles and mortars should also be replaced, he added.

He indicated that the ‘fufu’ pounding machine was equally not safe as the metals used in grinding, rub against each other, and particles of the metals get into the food. He called for research to be conducted to ascertain the type of metals used to help prevent cancers.

He urged the people to take to increasing eating of vegetables and beans.