FDA shuts down Osu KFC and other food joints on Oxford Street over missing hygiene permits

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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has temporarily closed several food service establishments along Oxford Street and in Osu following food safety inspections conducted on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Among the businesses shut down was the popular KFC branch at Osu, one of the busiest fast-food outlets in the area. The enforcement exercise targeted the food service sector, where the FDA has the authority to enforce compliance with hygiene and safety standards.

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Inspection Details

According to the FDA, the affected businesses were found operating without the mandatory Food Hygiene Permit Certificate—a legal requirement for all food establishments in the country. The closures came as FDA officers carried out routine food safety checks across the two locations, which are among Accra’s most frequented dining and entertainment hubs.

Businesses found to be operating without the required certification were immediately shuttered.

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Official Statement

“The affected establishments will remain closed until they obtain the required Food Hygiene Permit Certificate,” the FDA said in a statement.

The Authority has directed affected businesses to remain closed until they regularise their operations and secure the necessary certification. It further warned that any establishment caught operating without the mandatory permit risks not only closure but also financial penalties under the applicable regulatory framework.

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A Warning to All Food Businesses

The FDA used the exercise to reinforce its position that no food business may legally operate without first obtaining the Food Hygiene Permit, which serves as official certification that the establishment meets the minimum standards required to handle and serve food to the public.

Following the closures, the authority issued a reminder to all food business operators across the country to bring their operations into compliance before further enforcement exercises are undertaken. The FDA stressed that obtaining the Food Hygiene Permit is not optional but a mandatory requirement for any entity in the food service industry.

“The FDA once again reminds all food businesses to regularise their operations by obtaining the mandatory Food Hygiene Permit to avoid closure and fines,” the Authority stated.

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Background

The enforcement action follows a public notice issued by the FDA earlier this year, warning that effective February 1, 2026, all food service establishments operating without a valid Food Hygiene Permit would face closure. The Authority had cautioned all food businesses to regularise their operations before the deadline or face the consequences.

This latest crackdown is part of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and protect public health. Business owners who have yet to regularise their status are urged to do so promptly to avoid facing the same consequences as those shut down during Thursday’s exercise.

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