Food Poisoning Saga; Marwako fined GH₵1 Million in Damages

Marwako Fast Food Ordered to Pay Over GH₵1 Million in Damages to Victims of 2022 Food Poisoning Saga

A court has ordered Marwako Fast Food, a popular eatery in Accra, to pay over GH₵1 Million to three siblings who were among the victims of the 2022 food poisoning saga.

The award is part of the reliefs granted to the trio, who took on the company in court after falling ill due to consuming food from the restaurant.

The three plaintiffs, Winifred Tse, Rodger Bismark Tse, and Walter Tse, claimed that they suffered abdominal pains and diarrhea after buying and consuming food from Marwako Fast Food on May 8, 2022.

The incident led to widespread reports of food poisoning on social media, prompting the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to shut down the East Legon branch of the eatery.

In its investigation, the FDA found that the restaurant failed to observe proper sanitary practices, leading to widespread food poisoning.

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The authority detected high levels of microbial load in samples of food and swabs taken from the environment at the East Legon branch, as well as poor storage practices and handling of ingredients used in cooking.

During the court proceedings, Marwako Fast Food argued that the food bought by the first plaintiff should not be seen as contaminated, despite admitting that some of the food discovered at its East Legon branch exhibited a heavy microbial load.

However, the court disagreed with this argument, finding it unreasonable.

As a result, the court awarded each of the three plaintiffs GH₵345,000 in general damages.

They will also jointly receive GH₵25,215.48 and GH₵10,000 to cover legal fees and litigation costs. This brings the total amount awarded to GH₵1,065,000.

It is worth noting that Marwako Fast Food had already paid GH₵750,000 in fines to the FDA in connection with the incident.

The company’s failure to maintain proper sanitary practices has resulted in significant financial losses for not only the restaurant but also its customers who fell ill due to its negligence.

As consumers, it is essential that we hold businesses accountable for any harm caused by their negligence.

This ruling is a significant step towards ensuring that justice is served and that victims of food poisoning are fairly compensated for their suffering.

The incident also highlights the need for businesses like Marwako Fast Food to prioritize customer safety and take immediate action when faced with complaints or issues related to food quality.

Below is the statement by FDA as of 2022;

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